The Cuban government will send a total of 165 doctors and nurses to cope with Ebola in Africa as part of the global effort coordinated by the World Health Organization (WHO), reports Granma newspaper.

According to Health Minister Roberto Morales, the group consists of 62 doctors and 103 nurses, who have over 15 years’ experience and who have worked in other countries hit by natural and epidemiological disasters.

The decision comes in response to the request for assistance made by WHO and most recently by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon in a meeting with President Raul Castro.

Since 1959, Cuba has sent a total of 76,744 health workers to 39 African countries. (HavanaTimes)