Algiers, Algeria.- The Cuban Medical Brigade, made up of 900 medical professionals who are rendering their services in Algeria, on Thursday backed the decision by the Cuban Ministry of Public Health not to continue with Brazil”s More Doctors Program.

The doctors said in a statement released in this capital they will ‘continue with this army of white gowns’ in Algeria and in more than 60 countries where Cuba offers its solidarity in this field, especially to the humblest sectors.

The brigade assured that they will offer ‘the best of each of us’ to these people to contribute to improving the health and quality of life of Algerians, and reaffirmed that it will be the best homage to the historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel Castro, two years after his physical disappearance. The Commander in Chief ‘continues to guide us with his ideas, his undying example and his infinite love for the world’s humblest people’, the text said.

The health professionals also stressed their commitment to the homeland to continue providing assistance and bringing happiness to the Algerian people in the more than 50 communities where they are currently present.

Algeria was one of the first countries to receive the solidarity of the Cuban people in the health sector 55 years ago, and now Cuba offers its collaboration in the specialties of ophthalmology, urology, oncology and mother and child care.

Cuba’s Ministry of Public Health announced on Wednesday the decision to withdraw its doctors from Brazil’s More Doctors Program in response to the questions from President-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

This program was created in 2013 at the initiative of then President Dilma Rousseff to address the poorest and most remote areas of Brazil where foreign and domestic health workers were hired.