By: Lien Martí

The Labor Prowess Flag conferred by the Central de Trabajadores de Cuba (CTC) to productive centers and labor groups whose performance had a significant impact on the nation's economy or society, was delivered today to the Integrated System of Medical Emergencies (SIUM) of Havana for its outstanding participation during the unfortunate events that occurred at the Hotel Saratoga. Sonia Mendoza García, General Health Technician and secretary of the party nucleus, recalls what happened and the work carried out by the SIUM "At that time we were in the Board of Directors and we left immediately for the place. The images were very impressive and everything that we saw was very sad, but we put our hearts into the timely transfer of the patient, some alive, others deceased, and we were there while the search for the victims lasted. It was very sad to see the relatives suffer so much, despair, for much encouragement that we tried to offer them, they only asked us to find them and transfer them as soon as possible". Likewise, Dr. Caridad Regla García Fernández, a care teacher at the SIUM pointed out: "Unfortunately, there were many victims and the participation of the SIUM was almost immediate, both directors and care teachers joined us. We were very struck by the total cooperation of the population, both to offer donations of blood and water, coffee, food, always asking to see what they could help with, which shows the worth of Cubans. All those who participated gave their best without sparing efforts, schedules or resources. We had everything what was there and was made available to the victims". For his part, Gerardo Pérez, director of the SIUM in the capital, stated: "The SIUM receives the highest distinction of the union with great honor, here there is only a representation of the workers physically, but we are here spiritually and we receive this flag with much satisfaction. The care, emotional and psychological experiences at Saratoga were very difficult, they were days of battle doing everything possible to save lives". Noiman Napoles, provincial secretary of the Union of Health Workers in Havana, pointed out that the Calixto García Hospital, the Institute of Legal Medicine, the Juan Manuel Márquez Pediatric Hospital, the Institute of Neurology, the Provincial Blood Bank, the Hermanos Amejeiras Hospital, as well as a group of professionals who belong to other entities but also provided their services for the health of the victims and individually will be recognized within their work groups.