Fidel Castro to receive Dominica's highest award

Dr. Fidel Castro Ruiz (Photo courtesy, bucf.wordpress.com)

The government of Dominica will bestow its highest honour, the ‘Dominica Award of Honour’ on Dr. Fidel Castro Ruiz, former President of Cuba, during the Parade of Uniformed Groups on Independence Day, November 3, 2008. President Castro is being awarded for his significant contribution to Dominica’s national development.

Castro’s contribution to Dominica’s development has focused mostly in the areas of education and medicine. Over the last twenty-nine years, hundreds of Dominicans have graduated from Cuban universities in a variety of fields, most notably medicine as a result of the Cuban Government scholarship programme. In the aftermath of Hurricane David, the devastating hurricane which struck Dominica on August 29, 1979, Dr. Fidel Castro offered a package of assistance to Dominica, including several university scholarships.

In recent times the Cuban Government has financed the establishment of a state-of-the-art diagnostic centre in Portsmouth and an Intensive Care Unit at the Princess Margaret Hospital as well as the provision of over forty (40) trained medical personnel to work at medical institutions across the country.

The Cuban Government in partnership with the Government of Dominica and the Dominica State College is also playing an integral role in the training of Dominican nurses in response to the serious nursing shortage of the last several years.

Meanwhile, seven persons/organisations will be conferred with the Sisserou Award of Honour during this year’s independence celebrations. These include Mr. Gordon Moreau for his contribution in the field of Accounting, Justice Irving Andre for Literary Work, Dr. William Green in Health, Mr. Vanoulst Jno. Charles for Agriculture, Mr. Joseph Oliver Bowers for Religion among others.

The WCK Band, who has dominated the music scene in Dominica for the last two decades with their popularising of ‘bouyon’ music, will receive the Meritorious Service Award. Other recipients of the Meritorious Service Award include Miss. Pearl Christian for Culture, Senator Sonia Williams for Education/Social work among others.

The Services Medal of Honour and the Long Service Award will also be conferred on a number of individuals/organisations.

The Parade of Uniformed Groups will take place on Monday, November 3, 2008 at the Windsor Park Stadium, commencing at 5.30pm.