The honorary title of Hero of Labor of the Republic of Cuba was awarded to Dr. Alberto Fernando Hernández Cañero, founding director of the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery, this Thursday, November 3, who at the age of 96 is proud to have spent more than seven decades devoted to this specialty.
For me it is inevitable that we recognize Dr. Alberto, beyond this title that he has earned through his work, for the important role he has played in developing his medical specialty, and the transformation of the Cuban Public Health at the beginning of the Revolution, stated José Ramón Machado Ventura, a vice president of the Councils of State and Ministers, second secretary of the PCC Central Committee and a member of the Party Political Bureau, on awarding the distinction.
He also stressed that Hernández Cañero has always demonstrated extraordinary discipline; he is the kind of man who on expressing an opinion, does so clearly and realistically. “And he is also the scientist, revolutionary, the humanist who has earned the recognition of a whole people on his own merits,” he said.
In this regard, Dr. Santiago Badía González, general secretary of the National Union of Healthcare Workers, added that among the reasons for awarding the specialist with the title were his struggle against the Batista dictatorship and his support for the Rebel Army by sending medicines and money.
He further stressed that after the revolutionary triumph, Hernández Cañero held leading positions in several medical bodies, and praised his teaching and research work.
The ceremony also saw the Institute of Cardiology and Cardiovascular Surgery awarded the 75th Anniversary of the Cuban Workers’ Federation (CTC) commemorative seal, in the framework of the activities to mark the 50th anniversary of the center this December 1.
In this respect, Ulises Guilarte de Nacimiento, member of the Party Political Bureau and secretary general of the CTC, noted: “We want the workers of this prestigious Institute to feel honored to receive this recognition, just as our Federation does on awarding it, as a show of infinite gratitude for their contribution to revolutionary efforts, and the prestige and authority of our health care system.”
(Granma)