The effect of the ebola crisis should cause the region to recognize that it too must prepare

The first thing to be said about the ebola crisis is that the region should be very proud that among the first to fully understand the seriousness of the threat and respond has been a Caribbean nation: Cuba. It, almost alone in the world, recognised early the extent of the potential crisis we all face if the epidemic is left unchecked.

As is now well known, Cuba is providing support for those who are stricken in West Africa and has sent to Freetown, the capital of Sierra Leone, sixty-two doctors, 103 nurses and the all of the necessary logistical and medical support its team needs to help stem the epidemic.

It now has in place the largest medical team from any nation, including from those that are vastly wealthier, and has made clear that after it has made other