RAFAEL Espada, vice president of Guatemala, on his arrival here Thursday for an official visit which will last until Sunday, emphasized the achievements of Cuban medicine.

He was met by Health Minister José Ramón Balaguer and Deputy Foreign Minister Alejandro González, to whom he expressed an interest in expanding collaboration in this sphere and in training doctors, given the experience of Cuban professionals.

He affirmed that activity in the field of public health has been reciprocal and very active, of much help to the people of Guatemala at times of serious crises, in which the work of the Cuban doctors was positively welcomed and accepted.

That action, he recalled, was acknowledged by the presentation of a humanitarian order and signified the position occupied by Cuba in the education and training of doctors in Latin America, which is being closely followed.

Espada noted that Guatemala hopes to increase the number of Guatemalan students in the islands faculties of medicine, in order to reinforce that program, so vital for his country, while reiterating his admiration for Cuban medicine.

He went on to say that cooperation could be extended to all sectors; in particular culture, sports, education, agriculture, energy and oil.

On his arrival in the Cuban capital, Espada highlighted the tenth anniversary of the renewal of diplomatic relations, which were reestablished on January 27, 1998, and are currently being expanded and strengthened.

There are a total of 419 Cubans working in Guatemala; 294 of them are doctors in 114 of the countrys departments, covering a population of 2, 582, 475 inhabitants.

To date, under the Operation Miracle program, 12,318 people have been operated on in ophthalmological units in that country.

Espada is to meet with Vice President Carlos Lage and other national authorities, as well as tour places of scientific and social interest.

(PL)