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During nearly two decades, Cuba served 24,000 children from Eastern Europe victims of the Chernobyl nuclear accident and whose pollution is still causing damage to the health of the inhabitants of that region.

Most children affected by radiation emanating affected by cancer and birth defects, alopecia and vitiligo, said the doctor in July Medina, director of medical collaboration which celebrated 19 years on Wednesday to exist.


After April 1986 the leak at the Ukrainian nuclear plant which produced a toxic cloud and radiation, then the Soviet authorities sought to aid world to meet the victims, said Medina.

Throughout these years there were 24,023 patients. There were even several marrow and kidney transplants, heart operations to correct deformities and orthopedic. Currently this is still between 700 and 800 children annually.


Many of the current patient had not even born when the accident occurred, but the main contaminant is cesium-137 - with a life of 25 years - and iodine-131, which affects the thyroid.

"We do not give it over to us, but we share what we have. Do not give luxuries," he said during a press conference Medina.


The authorities did not reveal how much the program argue that it is an "solidarity" and "humanistic."

Initially came to Cuba to receive medical care in children from Russia, Belarus and Ukraine, but only the latter continued sending nation after the Soviet Union disintegrated.


"It's a concern all of us that Chernobyl is forgotten" due to current problems and crises, said Median. "Chernobyl is a problem that is not solved," he said.

Ukraine currently pays for the transportation of patients and their escorts - through a state fund - the government of Cuba and the addresses for free, making them a checkup, treating their illnesses, provides accommodation, meals and a school.


Tarará of the village on the outskirts of the capital and surrounded by sea has been conditioned to receive them.

The Ukrainian program coordinator, swim Gerasinenko said that in his country all "highly value what Cuba has done that ... even in their most difficult times (the crisis of 1990) continued to assist these children."


Some of the patients participated in the ceremony of commemoration of the program.

"This last five months I have here and not want to go, I do well here," said the young Sabelin Denis, aged 14, who was born with a malformation in the bone through which Cuba maintains a treatment since she was a year and since then goes to his country and return to the island from time to time.