A young Cuban woman who graduated in Medicine has gone viral on social media after revealing that she traded hospitals for a bar, in a country where the exodus of healthcare professionals has left the healthcare system in crisis.
In a video shared on Instagram, user @magguie_lu_ recounted her experience with a message that touched thousands of followers.
"Sometimes life doesn't go according to plan, especially in Cuba, but it's wonderful when you discover that you can do more than you imagined. I started as a sales assistant, and in two weeks, I'm already behind the bar creating, learning, and growing. It's not what I dreamed of, but it's what drives me today," said Magguie.
The young woman explained that, despite having graduated in Medicine, she decided to work in a bar-restaurant to make a living. "Two weeks ago, the bartender was absent, and I had to take on that role. I didn't even know how to make a coffee, but I learned all the cocktails," she proudly shared about her progress.
Her story reflects an increasingly common reality on the island, as doctors, teachers, and engineers leave their professions for better-paid jobs, both within and outside the country. According to data from the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), Cuba lost 30,767 doctors in just three years, decreasing from 106,131 physicians in 2021 to 75,364 in 2024.
The collapse, acknowledged by the state itself, confirms a rapid reduction in healthcare personnel amidst the deterioration of the health system, characterized by a lack of resources, a shortage of medications, and deficiencies in all kinds of medical supplies.
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