Gilberto Castaño Martínez, director of the Polyclinic Luis Galván, in Centro Habana, stated in a video by Spanish youtuber Juan Dalmau that his salary of 5,560 Cuban pesos was "decent."
The Cuban executive, identified on the Facebook profile of "La Tijera," assured Dalmau that being a doctor "is well regarded" in Cuba and is "a good job."
"The base salary is 5,560 pesos, but it increases even more with the new economic measures, which include special payments, night shifts, when the doctor is on duty," Castaño exclaimed.
Her statement did not end there, as she went on to describe the salary received as "decent," even though inflation in Cuba is on the rise and that stipend is insufficient for a person's basic food needs.
"It is a decent salary. Just like that of the nurse. From the highest-paying sectors," he shot back at the doctor.
In his explanation to Dalmau, who filmed the interior of the polyclinic and the Calixto García Hospital, Castaño argued that a doctor can earn up to 30,000 pesos: "It's not the same salary as a primary care doctor, like us, compared to a secondary care doctor. The secondary care doctor earns a little more."
The specialist, trying to mask the crisis in the sector, defended his profession and admitted to having the "little things" to work with, but added that they accepted assistance with supplies.
"We have healing materials, we have medications. Any help, any support is always appreciated, but well, we have here the things we need to be able to work," said the doctor to the youtuber.
However, the Spanish speaker explained that while interviewing the doctor, the nurses beside him denied what he was saying.
"When I asked if they had everything, he told me yes, but out of the corner of my eye, the nurse next to me was shaking her head, saying no, that we don't have everything. But well, I doubt they have everything, to be honest. I don't think everything is available to the patient," he said.
Decent salary?
By the end of 2024, a newly graduated doctor earned 4,610 CUP monthly, a figure that slightly increased to 5,060 CUP after starting their residency and to 5,560 CUP upon completing the specialization.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Security of Cuba published this year salary benefits aimed at the personnel of the National Health System, focusing on critical specializations and long-term care services.
The incentives include an additional payment of 100 pesos per hour for working night shifts and a performance bonus of 20 pesos per hour. Furthermore, a social economic interest coefficient of 45% is granted on the wage scale to nursing service assistants in certain institutions.
However, the salary of a doctor, which could exceed 10,000 CUP, should be sufficient to ensure a decent life, but it barely covers basic needs for food in a country where prices have risen significantly in recent years.
Frequently Asked Questions about Salaries and Conditions in the Cuban Health System
Is a doctor's salary in Cuba really decent?
According to Gilberto Castaño Martínez, director of the Luis Galván Polyclinic in Centro Habana, a salary of 5,560 Cuban pesos is "decent." However, this income is insufficient to meet basic needs due to high inflation and the elevated cost of food and essential products in Cuba.
What difficulties is the Cuban healthcare system currently facing?
The Cuban healthcare system faces serious shortages of supplies and medications. Despite claims from some officials about having "what they need to work," nurses and other healthcare workers have refuted these statements, highlighting the lack of resources and the deterioration of healthcare facilities.
How does inflation affect the salaries of healthcare professionals in Cuba?
Inflation has severely eroded the purchasing power of salaries in Cuba. Although doctors can earn up to 10,000 Cuban pesos with various incentives, this amount is insufficient for a decent life, as it barely covers basic food expenses in a context of high prices.
What measures has the Cuban government taken to improve salaries in healthcare?
The government has introduced additional salary benefits for health system personnel. These include payments for special conditions and night shifts, as well as a coefficient for economic and social interest, but these increases have not been enough to combat the rising inflation and significantly improve the living conditions of workers.
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