Former Cuban leader Fidel Castro met members of Cuba's medical brigade on Tuesday. The medical team has just returned from Bolivia where they carried out a study on disabled people.

The doctors performed more than 10-thousand free consultations. The former leader praised their tireless efforts and singled out their courage in facing Bolivia's tough climate. Castro gave signed copies of his new book to all 213 members of the brigade present.

Official Cuban sources say the team, which included specialists in genetics, was able to gain access to more than a hundred Bolivian communities. The brigade visited more than 1.5 million homes in Bolivia, meeting 82 thousand disabled people since last March.