After seven years of studies in Cuba, a group of Colombians, made up of victims of the armed conflict and former FARC combatants, returned to their country to begin their mandatory rural service in the most remote areas of Colombia.
These health professionals are beneficiaries of scholarships awarded as part of the Peace Process agreements signed in Havana in 2016.
Among the graduates is Nadia Marcela Villarraga, who was a FARC combatant for 16 years and worked as an empirical nurse. in the guerrilla camps. “That was where I fell in love with medicine,” he says. Now, having become a professional doctor, she is determined to take care of life in the territories that she once knew because of the conflict.
Xiomy Giraldo, Villarraga’s partner, also returned with the same conviction. His desire is to return to his municipality of origin and bring health services to the most remote villages, where medical care is scarce. “I want to work for my people,” said Giraldo, who sees his work as an act of reconciliation and social commitment.
Among the new doctors, the case of a 55-year-old professional stands out, who is enthusiastically preparing to face her first year of practice in the rural areas of the country. This group of graduates represents an opportunity to bring health and hope to the most vulnerable communities.
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This group of doctors is part of the men and women who, in 2017, received news that would change their lives: thanks to the scholarships awarded by the Cuban government as part of the peace agreements, they were selected to study medicine. Some of them were victims of the conflict, others were ex-combatants who decided to walk the path of peace and reconciliation through education.
This Thursday, the Ministry of Health and Social Protection led the first working group with these new doctors, recognizing their particular condition as ex-combatants and victims of the armed conflict. During the meeting, Edith Rodríguez, Performance Coordinator of the ministry, highlighted the commitment of these doctors in returning to their territories to provide their services in the communities that experienced the rigors of the war.
Also present at the table were Rodrigo Londoño, former leader of the FARC and signatory of the peace agreement, as well as the director of Human Talent of the Ministry of Health, José Alexis Mahecha, who announced that the graduates will select the positions where they will provide their mandatory social service. , known as “rural.” “Welcome to the mandatory social service that constitutes the first dignified and decent job, since in addition to the salary, you have all the benefits provided by law,” said Mahecha.
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