MEDICC Lauds White House Decision
to Expand Travel to Cuba
January 14, 2011—MEDICC (Medical Education Cooperation with Cuba) welcomed today’s decision by President Barack Obama to ease restrictions on US travel to Cuba, calling it “beneficial to health in both countries.” The Executive Order offers more opportunities for US professional, research, religious and people-to-people visits to the island.
“Only politics knows barriers; disease does not,” commented Dr. Peter Bourne, MEDICC’s Board Chair. “We hope this opening will lead to vital cooperation in areas such as disaster relief, vaccine development, public health emergencies and new approaches to medical training.”
“We also hope the new Congress will take its cue from the White House and allow all US citizens the freedom to travel to Cuba,” said Diane Appelbaum, MEDICC’s US Director.
Since 1997, MEDICC has worked to enhance cooperation among the US, Cuban and global health communities aimed at better health outcomes and greater health equity.
