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A specialist doctor from Santiago de Cuba reported this Monday that, despite the official announcement from the regime regarding salary increases for health personnel, the retroactive payment has still not been processed in several hospitals in the province.
The source, who requested to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals, explained to CiberCuba that in institutions such as the Saturnino Lora Provincial Hospital, the Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Clinical Surgical Hospital, and the Dr. Ambrosio Grillo Teaching Clinical Surgical Hospital, the professionals covered by resolution 4/2025 from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security have not yet received the promised salary increases.
"We are in June and we haven't seen a single cent of the money that is owed to us since January. According to my calculations, the regime owes me more than 25,000 pesos. It's not that this amount will solve our needs, but at least it would provide a small relief. And ultimately, whether it is resolved or not, it is my right," he lamented.
"The government announces improvements to grab headlines but does not guarantee their implementation. We are specialists who work under very tough conditions, including night shifts and weekends, and they do not even fulfill what they themselves promise,” the doctor added.
According to the reporting specialist, they claim that the non-payment is due to a "lack of funds," which has prevented the implementation of the retroactive adjustments, despite the fact that the resolution from the Ministry of Labor was officially communicated nearly two months ago.
The administrative staff claim to be "waiting for budget allocations," but they do not provide specific dates or clear explanations for the delay, which has caused discontent among the affected professionals, who continue to work under critical conditions without the promised compensation.
Resolution 4/2025, published in the Official Gazette Ordinary No. 39 of 2025, establishes additional payments for doctors in specialties such as Neonatology, Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Intensive Medicine, providing incentives of 100 pesos for each night hour worked and 20 pesos per hour for high performance, as well as an additional coefficient of 45% of the salary scale for nursing service assistants in specialized centers.
The regulations clearly stated that payments would be retroactive from January 1, 2025, but, according to the whistleblower, this has not been implemented to date.
Frequently Asked Questions about Salary Arrears and Working Conditions in Hospitals in Santiago de Cuba
Why haven't doctors in Santiago de Cuba received the promised back pay?
Doctors have not received the back payment due to the "lack of funds" and the wait for budget allocations, despite the fact that the resolution from the Ministry of Labor was officially communicated almost two months ago. This has caused discontent among the affected professionals.
What does Resolution 4/2025 establish regarding additional payments for doctors?
Resolution 4/2025, published in the Official Gazette Ordinary No. 39 of 2025, establishes additional payments for doctors in specialties such as Neonatology, Anesthesiology, Resuscitation, and Intensive Medicine. It includes incentives of 100 pesos for each night hour worked and 20 pesos per hour for high performance, in addition to an additional coefficient of 45% of the salary scale for nursing service assistants in specialized centers.
How does the lack of payment affect doctors in Santiago de Cuba?
Non-payment significantly affects doctors, who work under critical conditions without the promised compensation. This further exacerbates the economic difficulties they face, as their salaries are insufficient to cover basic needs.
What other difficulties does the medical staff in Cuba face besides unpaid salaries?
In addition to unpaid salaries, medical staff faces a shortage of medications and supplies, precarious working conditions, and exposure to violent situations in hospitals. They also have to deal with heavy workloads and a lack of professional recognition.
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