The Prime Minister of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, assured that Cuban doctors will continue working in the Caribbean country, where intensive care units (ICUs) largely depend on these professionals; however, he announced that he is negotiating direct payment to the physicians.
According to the president, nine of the 11 healthcare workers assigned to the main ICU of the country are Cuban, which demonstrates the significance of the medical brigade from the Island in the Dominican health system.
"We have 11 medical staff members assigned to the main ICU, and nine of them are Cuban. We want to acknowledge the impact of Cuban doctors and nurses on healthcare in Dominica,” stated Skerrit.
The statements come amid an international debate concerning the Cuban regime's medical service export programs, which have been criticized by human rights organizations and the U.S. government, as they regard them as a form of labor exploitation by withholding a significant portion of the professionals' salaries.
Although it was announced that they would continue in the country, the government of Dominica recently confirmed that it will introduce changes to the agreement with Havana regarding the hiring of Cuban healthcare personnel, in order to comply with new international requirements.
"The Minister of Health will send the contracts directly to them, and that is likely to start right now, yes," Skerrit emphasized in statements to reporters.
The Foreign Minister of Dominica, Vince Henderson, explained that there are currently 65 Cuban professionals—among them doctors, specialists, nurses, and technicians—providing services in the country. Medical cooperation between the two governments has been ongoing for over three decades.
“ We will always be grateful to Cuba. They have been true friends in good times and bad,” said Henderson, highlighting the role of Havana in training Dominican healthcare personnel and in the development of medical infrastructure on the island.
However, the Dominican authorities made it clear that any changes to the program will be implemented gradually to avoid impacting the healthcare services for the population.
The presence of Cuban medical brigades in various countries across Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and Europe has become one of the main sources of income for the regime in Havana, although this model has faced increasing scrutiny regarding the working conditions imposed on professionals sent abroad.
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