Cuba’s National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology (INOR) and the Massey Cancer Center, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU).
The signing of the MOU is another example of how Cuba and the United States can cooperate in matters of mutual interest. This time, in the field of health.
It is the latest sign of of renewed interest in cooperation in science and biotechnology between U.S. and Cuban institutions.
The Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center is a leading research center and hospital for the treatment of cancer located in Virginia.
The INOR acts as the governing center within Cuba’s public health system in the fight against cancer in the country.
According to Dr. Robert Winn, Director and Lipman Chair in Oncology at the Massey Cancer Center, fighting cancer has no distinctions, regardless of whether it is in Cuba or in the United States, because it is about humanity.
After signing the MOU with the INOR, Dr. Winn said, “the moment opens a new opportunity for understanding and collaboration, because we are all in the midst of the fight against cancer.”
“It is about bringing health to everyone, regardless of where and how they live, or even how they think,” Dr. Winn said. The agreement includes the sharing of clinical trial results, especially of patients from poor U.S. communities with cancer, with Cuban oncology specialists.
The MOU will also make it easier to exchange research and information between US and Cuban researchers.
Speaking of the current status of US-Cuba relations, Dr. Winn said there have never been good times, only a small window of opportunity during Barack Obama’s administration. He added that as a person of faith he keeps the hope alive that what has been learned in that stage of understanding and that the re-establishment of relations will be useful for the future.
“It will be good for both countries and peoples. My heart and soul trust in that understanding because we have many things to do. It is very difficult as it was for a country like Cuba to become independent, and it made it,” Dr. Winn said.
Luis Martin, Director of the INOR said the MOU paves the way for cooperation in cancer treatment, thoracic surgery, research, and medical science in general.
It will be an opportunity to show Cuba’s breakthroughs in health and strengthen the academic exchange as a result of the strength of the Massey Cancer Center, a leading institution in the study and treatment of cancer in the United States.
