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Archive -Diplomacy

Cuban VP amazed by natural beauty of Praslin |17 February 2018

During her visit in Seychelles this week, the Vice-President of the State Council of the Republic of Cuba, Mercedes Lopez Acea, flew over to Praslin, hours before she left the country following a three-day official visit to Seychelles.

Accompanying her on her visit were the secretary of state Barry Faure and other high officials.

Vallée de Mai, one of the country’s World Heritage Sites where our priceless coco de mer grows naturally, was the first place that the delegation visited.

It was Frauke Fleischer Dogley, chief executive of the Seychelles Island Foundation (SIF), and the Minister for Environment, Energy and Climate Change, Didier Dogley, who led the delegation on a tour of the garden. There VP Acea learned more about the various species growing in the Vallée de Mai, especially the coco de mer.

Holding a Degree in Forestry and Engineering, VP Acea could easily guess the approximate weight of one specific coco de mer, as well as observe methods of dehusking the nut.

“I am impressed by the natural beauty of this wonderful island and feel privileged to have been able to visit the Vallée de Mai,” VP Acea shared with much gratitude as she thanked all those who have helped in organising the trip.

The visit was followed by the presentation of a coco de mer as a souvenir to VP Acea and tasting of certain local delicacies such as the sitronnel (lemon grass) tea prepared by the World Heritage Site’s café.

The delegation next moved to the Baie Ste Anne Hospital where the Minister for Health, Jean-Paul Adam, led them on a tour of the hospital.

VP Acea could interact with patients who had been admitted at the hospital and met the only Cuban doctor on the island.

She was especially touched by the close collaboration between health professionals from various countries including Cuba, who collectively work to provide health care to Praslinois patients and enhance their quality of life.

“This is something very special which speaks volumes of our brotherhood that we should continue defending world wide,” she said.

VP Acea believes that together, these professionals are advocates to a common mission and the most important thing about this mission is patient satisfaction, which strongly came out from her discussion with patients admitted on the ward. She was also delighted to have met Seychellois health professionals who were trained in Cuba and are now making a remarkable contribution in the lives of their own people.

 

Text: Nadia Bedier

Photos: Romano Laurence

 

 

 

 

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