A PROFESSOR who worked in Cuba will give a lecture on their health system, including their research into the deadly meningitis bug.

Professor of health and education Theodore MacDonald, who will speak at Blackburn Library tomorrow, will tell how, in 1982, the Cubans were the first to invent a vaccine against the mysterious disease which can kill in hours.

Professor MacDonald, of Brunel University, London, worked in Cuban universities in the 1980s when all children were given the new vaccine and the disease was eradicated from the island.

The Canada-born professor said American blockades prevented the vaccine becoming available worldwide until two London doctors re-tested it two years ago.

A modified version is now being given to teenagers and tots throughout Britain.

The public meeting, organised by the Blackburn and Darwen Cuba Solidarity Campaign, will begin at 7pm in the Feilden room.

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