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 |