Table 3 Chronology of the Cuban health assistance program in the Pacific
Country | Key dates and events |
|---|---|
Fiji | · 2003 - Fiji and Cuba initiate diplomatic discussions |
|  | · 2005 - Fiji and Cuba establish diplomatic relations and identify medicine as an area of cooperation |
|  | · August 2010 – Six Fijian students leave for Cuba to study medicine |
Kiribati | · September 2002 - Kiribati and Cuba establish diplomatic relations |
|  | · 2006 – 15 Cuban medical personnel arrive in Kiribati |
|  | · 2007 – 23 students from Kiribati leave to study medicine in Cuba |
Nauru | · First Pacific island country to benefit from Cuban health assistance program |
|  | · May 2002 – Nauru and Cuba establish diplomatic relations |
|  | · 2004 – 11 Cuban doctors arrive in Nauru but contracts terminated after 18 months |
|  | · October 2007 – Signs bilateral collaboration agreement with Cuba on health, education, trade and other sectors |
Solomon Islands | · December 2002 – Solomon Islands establishes diplomatic relations with Cuba |
|  | · March 2007 – Cooperation agreement signed between the governments of Solomon Islands and Cuba |
|  | · February 2008 – First batch of 25 Solomon Islands students departs for medical training in Cuba |
|  | · June 2008 – First two Cuban doctors arrive in Solomon Islands and are joined by seven more the following year |
|  | · July 2008 – Second batch of 25 Solomon Islands students departs for medical training in Cuba |
|  | · December 2009 – Third batch of 25 Solomon Islands students departs for medical training in Cuba |
Tonga | · June 2002 – Tonga and Cuba establish diplomatic relations |
|  | · October 2009 – Three Tongan students arrive in Cuba to study medicine |
|  | · December 2009 – Tongan Prime Minister travels to Cuba to strengthen diplomatic ties |
Tuvalu | · September 2008 – Prime Minister visits Cuba |
|  | · October 2008 – One Cuban health specialist arrives in Tuvalu |
|  | · February 2009 – Two more Cuban doctors arrive in Tuvalu |
|  | · December 2009 – 20 Tuvalu students studying medicine in Cuba |
Vanuatu | · 1983 – Relations with Cuba initiated |
|  | · Sept 2008 – 17 Vanuatu students depart for Cuba to start medical training |
|  | · 2008 – Six Cuban doctors arrive in Vanuatu |