CUBA and Zambia are engaged in discussions to start bringing doctors and other health specialists into the country, Cuban Ambassador to Zambia, Carmelina Rodriguez, has said.

And Ms Rodriguez has said the blockade that the United States of America (USA) government imposed on Cuba more than 50 years ago has negatively affected the economic growth of her country.

Responding to a question from a journalist after a media briefing in Lusaka yesterday, Ms Rodriguez said discussions with the Zambian Government for Cuba to resume sending doctors and other health experts were progressing well.

She said more than 50 Zambian students were currently studying in Cuba in education and health fields.

"My government and Zambia are still negotiating an agreement to send doctors and other health specialists and as soon as everything is well, the doctors will start coming here," she said.

The recent visit to Cuba by President Rupiah Banda helped strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries.

Ms Rodriguez said Cuba enjoyed a cordial relationship with Zambia and that there was need for the two countries to continue working together.

She said her government would continue rendering its support to Zambia and it was ready to help improve the living standards of the people.

The Cuban government is working hard to find better ways to further strengthen the bilateral relations between the two countries and will help lure investors to Zambia.

And Ms Rodriguez said the economic, commercial and financial embargo the US imposed on Cuba was "the most elevated expression of a cruel and inhuman policy".

She said the blockade had left economic losses for the Cuban transport sector to the tune of more than US$357 million between March 2008 to April this year.

"According to very conservative estimates, since its beginning, the US blockade against Cuba has caused losses assessed at $236 billion at the current exchange rate of the US dollar.

"This figure does not include direct damages caused to the economic and social goals of the country as a result of sabotage and terrorist acts being organised and financed from the US territory for decades," she said.

The blockade has affected the education sector, research and scientific work despite the Cuban government's efforts to foster quality education for all, Ms Rodriguez added.