The Jamaican government announced that it will stop renewing the medical collaboration program with Cuba, bringing to an end an agreement that for decades has allowed the presence of health professionals from the island in the Caribbean nation's healthcare system.
The Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced in a statement that the decision was made after both governments failed to agree on the terms of a new technical cooperation agreement following the expiration of the previous one in February 2023, according to reports from Reuters and the Jamaican newspaper The Gleaner.
“The decision comes after both governments failed to agree on the terms and conditions of a new technical cooperation agreement,” stated the foreign ministry led by Kamina Johnson Smith.
The medical cooperation program between the two countries lasted for nearly five decades, starting in 1976, and allowed Cuban doctors, nurses, and specialists to fill gaps in Jamaica's public health system.
According to the Jamaican Ministry of Health, nearly 300 Cuban doctors and healthcare professionals are currently working in the island under existing contracts.
The government explained that these professionals will be able to continue working until they fulfill the duration specified in their contracts, even though the program will cease to operate under the state cooperation scheme.
"In the interest of maintaining the valuable service provided by Cuban medical professionals present in the country, the Ministry of Health may hire them individually in accordance with local labor laws," stated the foreign ministry.
The decision comes at a time when the United States has intensified international pressure on Cuban medical missions, which Washington accuses of involving forced labor and human trafficking—allegations that have been rejected by several Caribbean governments.
In February, Guatemala also announced the end of a program involving Cuban doctors, while the Bahamas indicated that it is considering canceling contracts with health professionals from the island following discussions with the U.S. government.
Despite the cancellation of the agreement, the Jamaican government expressed its gratitude to Cuba for its contribution to the country's healthcare system over the decades, especially in ophthalmological care programs and general medical services in public hospitals.
The measure represents a new setback for Cuba's medical missions in the Caribbean, one of the main sources of foreign currency revenue for the Havana government.
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