Havana, Oct 17 (ACN) With the Commemorative Coin for the 60th Anniversary of the Victoria de Girón Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences, that institution today recognized Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and President Miguel Díaz-Canel for their unconditional support to Cuban Public Health.

At the ceremony for the anniversary of the institution, which in 2007 became the Victoria de Girón School of Medical Sciences, the award was given to Manuel Marrero Cruz, Prime Minister of the Republic, and to Commander of the Rebel Army José Ramón Machado Ventura.

Other recipients were Dr. Roberto Morales Ojeda, member of the Political Bureau and Secretary of Organization of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Cuba; Dr. José Miyar Barruecos, professor of Merit of the center, as well as its founders.

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Dr. José Angel Portal Miranda, Minister of Public Health, expressed that the professors and workers of the house of high studies in these six decades became the vanguard in the training of health professionals in Cuba.

#ACNreporta With the presence of @MMarreroCruz begins the central act for the 60th anniversary of the founding of the Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences Victoria de Girón. @ACN_Cubapic.twitter.com/yrENMyFiVk

- @SheilaACN_Cuba (@snaperiodista) October 17, 2022

He highlighted the valuable contributions made to undergraduate education, with a relevant role in guiding the development of basic and biomedical sciences in the country, and postgraduate education, through specialties, diplomas, master's degrees and doctorates.

The center's programs are constantly being improved and provide new tools for the development of Cuban medicine, said the minister, who called for making this anniversary a date for commitment to the defense of health and life.

Dr. Nibaldo Hernández Mesa, founder of the Institute, with his words honored the founders and especially Fidel Castro Ruz, historic leader of the Cuban Revolution, who on Wednesday, October 17, 1962, founded the institution for the training of professionals.

He recalled key moments in its history, such as the October Crisis (October 16-29, 1962), the departure of the first medical brigade to Algeria (May 23, 1963), the contribution to medical education in Cuba and abroad and the contributions to scientific development.

Jannette Rodríguez González, Dean of the Faculty of Medical Sciences, referred to the high scientific and academic level demonstrated and highlighted the work carried out by her group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After 60 years, she called to keep alive the legacy of Commander in Chief Fidel Castro Ruz (1926-2016) and assured that they will continue to be the leading center of higher medical education in Cuba.

During the ceremony, Dr. Juan Vela Valdés was awarded post mortem the Special Teaching Category of Dr. Honoris Causa of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana, since the renowned professional joined to his countless merits, the condition of being a founding student of the Victoria de Girón Institute of Basic and Preclinical Sciences.

Likewise, Professor and Doctor Jorge Gonzalez Perez received the Special Teaching Category of Professor Emeritus of the University of Medical Sciences of Havana.

The Faculty of Medical Sciences Victoria de Girón also received the Moral Collective Status granted by the National Union of Health Workers, and institutions and personalities that have contributed to its development were also recognized.