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The Cuban regime and the Italian region of Molise reached an agreement in the field of healthcare, a decision that defies the warnings from the United States against the Cuban medical services export system, which it describes as coercive and exploitative.
The president of Molise, Francesco Roberti, confirmed that the region has reached an agreement with the Cuban ambassador to Italy, Mirta Granda Averhoff, for the arrival of doctors from various specialties, although the exact number and date of arrival have not yet been specified, reported the agency EFE.
According to Roberti, at least 100 professionals are needed, especially in rural areas and in emergency services.
The shortage of medical personnel in Molise is structural and has worsened over the last decade, said the official.
A report from the Bank of Italy indicates that the exodus of doctors and nurses from the National Health Service is due to a lack of opportunities, precarious working conditions, and low salaries.
Key hospitals in the region, such as Veneziale in Isernia or Caracciolo in Agnone, are operating at their limits, and some services are at risk of closure.
The initiative follows the model implemented in Calabria, where over 490 Cuban doctors have been working since 2022, following an agreement extended in 2024; and despite the fact that in Cuba, the shortage of doctors in hospitals greatly affects the care provided to the population.
However, this pact comes at a time when Washington has intensified sanctions and warnings against governments and entities that hire Cuban medical brigades, which it accuses of being a form of labor trafficking.
The U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, recently announced that they will impose visa restrictions on several officials from Cuba, as well as from other countries, due to their alleged involvement in a forced labor scheme related to the export of Cuban medical services.
In response, Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla described the sanctions as "imposition and aggression" and asserted that "Cuba will continue providing medical services" abroad.
So far, Cuba continues to promote these agreements as a crucial source of foreign currency amid its economic crisis.
Frequently asked questions about the dispatch of Cuban doctors to Italy
What is the agreement between Cuba and Italy for sending doctors?
The Cuban regime and the Italian region of Molise have agreed to send more Cuban doctors to Italy to address the shortage of medical staff, particularly in rural areas and emergency services. This agreement follows the model previously implemented in Calabria.
Why does the United States criticize Cuban medical missions?
The United States considers that Cuban medical missions are a form of forced labor and has imposed sanctions on officials in Cuba and other countries involved in these agreements. Washington accuses the Cuban regime of exploiting its doctors by withholding a large portion of their salaries and restricting their freedoms.
How does the dual contract system in Italy affect Cuban doctors?
Cuban doctors in Italy are subject to a dual contract system, where the Cuban regime retains a large part of their income through the Cuban Medical Services Marketing Company S.A. Although they receive their salaries directly into Italian accounts, they are required to transfer a significant portion of their earnings to the Cuban government, according to a report by Cubanet Noticias.
What measures has the U.S. government taken against Cuban medical missions?
The United States has imposed visa restrictions on Cuban officials and others linked to Cuban medical missions, as part of a strategy to pressure the Cuban regime and dismantle what it considers a scheme of labor exploitation.
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