The governor of the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí, Ricardo Gallardo, announced that two hospitals will be rehabilitated to accommodate 80 new Cuban doctors, continuing the controversial hiring of healthcare professionals from the Caribbean island, a decision that has sparked considerable unrest in the region.
According to Gallardo, the arrival of doctors from Cuba, who will join the Mexican doctors, will enhance the care provided to families, reported Noticiero Edición 21 Rioverde.
The governor of San Luis Potosí stated that with the Cuban doctors, hospitals will have specialists in various fields, and he presented this hiring as an achievement in medical care in the state and health services provided to the population, despite local doctors protesting these agreements between Cuba and Mexico.
Gallardo explained that they will rehabilitate two hospitals, starting with the one in Ríoverde and then proceeding to the one in Ciudad Valles.
Regarding the first project, it was mentioned that it is nearly complete: “With over 200 million pesos invested, featuring a top-notch team and a CT scanner that surpasses the one at the Central Hospital due to technological advancements, along with newer MRI machines, we are currently working on the facades. Previously, all surgeries had to be transferred to the capital of San Luis Potosí.”
Last May, the leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez met with Zoé Robledo Aburto, the General Director of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), to finalize the agreements regarding the contract for 1,200 Cuban doctors in Mexico.
The meeting focused on strengthening medical cooperation between Cuba and Mexico. The aim of both governments is to sign an unprecedented contract.
However, the initiative, while presented as a solution to the shortage of medical personnel in the more rural regions of Mexico, has encountered criticism from healthcare professionals.
Recently, the elected president of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, announced that she met with Cuba's Foreign Minister, Bruno Rodríguez, and confirmed that she will continue to hire doctors from the Caribbean island, despite strong criticism labeling this program as a means of financing the Cuban dictatorial regime.
During the meeting, Sheinbaum stated that they discussed various topics, including the possibility of continuing to bring Cuban doctors to Mexico, at least during the first year of her administration (2024-2030), reported the EFE agency.
"We met with the Cuban foreign minister; you know that Cuba is a brother nation, and we discussed, for example, the support we are receiving from Cuban doctors, the possibility of continuing that for the coming year, as well as some other important topics related to Mexico-Cuba relations," Sheinbaum stated.
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