Amid the growing decline of healthcare services in Cuba, a new group of 48 doctors has been sent to Italy, specifically to the Calabria region, as part of the international medical cooperation program promoted by the Havana regime.
The news was celebrated on social media by the Cuban Medical Mission in Calabria and the Cuban Embassy in Italy, which described the deployment as a "breath of fresh air" to reaffirm the quality of the island's medical services, according to a post on Facebook.
However, behind this mission, which is officially presented as a gesture of solidarity, there have been reports of systematic withholding of salaries, the restriction of fundamental freedoms, and the political use of healthcare workers, critics of these "missions" indicate.
According to documented reports by international organizations such as Prisoners Defenders and the U.S. Department of State, up to 75% of the salary paid by foreign governments for the services of Cuban doctors is withheld by the regime, significantly reducing the actual earnings of the professionals.
In the case of Italy, the NGO based in Spain has stated that the doctors hired by the Calabria region work under conditions they describe as modern slavery, as they cannot move freely, their passports are retained, and they face reprisals if they break the contract or report irregularities.
In December 2022, the government of the Calabria region was formally accused by the NGO Prisoners Defenders of these practices, after which Italy established the ''fixed-term subordinated contract', replacing the previous freelance contract.
"Cuba cooperates, helps, and delivers love and humanity," declared the Cuban embassy in its statement.
Since the signing of the first agreement with Italy in 2022, more than 300 Cuban doctors have been sent to work in hospitals across five Calabrian provinces.
Although contracts with foreign governments are handled as "state agreements," the content of these documents is rarely made public, and there is a lack of transparency regarding how the millions of euros or dollars earned from these services are used.
In the Bahamas, another country that maintains these agreements, a recent leak revealed that Cuba charged up to $22,000 monthly for four professionals, while the workers received allowances of less than $1,000. In light of the scandal, Prime Minister Philip Davis announced that he would renegotiate the terms and that Cuban doctors would be paid directly.
As these missions expand abroad, the Cuban healthcare system is experiencing one of its worst crises in decades: a shortage of medications, deteriorating infrastructure, and a massive exodus of medical personnel. Between 2021 and 2022 alone, the island lost more than 12,000 doctors, according to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Medical Missions and Their Impact
Why does the Cuban government send doctors to other countries?
The Cuban government sends doctors to other countries as part of its international medical cooperation missions. However, these missions have been criticized for being a significant source of income for the regime, which retains a large percentage of the salaries that health professionals should receive, being labeled as a form of labor exploitation and modern slavery.
What percentage of doctors' salaries is withheld by the Cuban regime?
According to documented reports, the Cuban regime retains between 75% and 90% of the salary paid by foreign governments to Cuban doctors. This practice has been internationally criticized and compared to forced labor.
What impact does the export of doctors have on the Cuban health system?
The export of Cuban doctors has contributed to the deterioration of the healthcare system on the island. Cuba is facing a severe shortage of medical personnel, which exacerbates the local health crisis, characterized by a lack of medications, deteriorating infrastructure, and a massive exodus of healthcare professionals.
What international measures have been taken against Cuban medical missions?
Various international organizations and governments, including the European Parliament and the U.S. State Department, have denounced Cuban medical missions as forms of forced labor. Sanctions and visa restrictions have been promoted for countries that collaborate with the regime in these practices, urging them to seek fair alternatives that do not violate the rights of professionals.
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