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The Government of Guyana confirmed that it was Cuba that decided to withdraw its medical brigade from the country, bringing an end to a healthcare cooperation agreement that had been in place for over 48 years.
The Guyanese Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony, explained in an interview with News Source Guyana that the authorities in Havana made the decision in February of this year, while discussions with the Guyanese government about the future of the program were still ongoing.
"I want to make it clear that it was the Cuban authorities who decided to dismiss or withdraw the Cuban doctors who were here," stated the official.
After the departure of the brigade, Guyana chose to hire Cuban doctors, nurses, and technicians directly who wish to stay or work in the country, provided they meet the requirements and certifications demanded by local health authorities.
According to Anthony, several Cuban health professionals who were part of the brigade decided to stay and are now working directly for the public health system in Guyana.
The minister also assured that the departure of the medical contingent has not affected the country's health system, as the government has expanded training programs for local professionals. As part of this effort, Guyana plans to graduate around 800 nurses this year to strengthen the healthcare service.
The minister's clarification comes after a group of citizens requested President Irfaan Ali to reconsider the termination of the agreement and allow the return of the Cuban medical brigade.
For weeks, versions circulated suggesting that Guyana had canceled the program under pressure from the United States government, which has questioned Cuba's medical missions abroad for alleged labor violations against the island's professionals.
Cuba and Guyana have maintained cooperative relations for decades. In 2021, more than 60 Cuban doctors were sent to the South American country to help tackle the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, and numerous Guyanese students have also received medical training on the island.
Background in the Caribbean: Jamaica detected irregularities
The situation occurs within a regional context in which other Caribbean countries have also revised their medical agreements with Cuba.
The Jamaican government recently revealed details about the irregularities detected after terminating its historic healthcare cooperation program with Havana, which had been in place since 1976.
According to a statement from the Jamaican Ministry of Foreign Affairs, a review of the agreement confirmed that the Cuban doctors did not have their own passports. Upon detecting this situation, the government stated that it has taken measures to ensure that the professionals can retain their travel documents.
The investigation also revealed that doctors' salaries were not paid directly to the professionals, but instead transferred in dollars to the Cuban government. Workers only received direct payments for additional hours worked.
Additionally, the authorities noted that the agreement did not specify which portion of those salaries should ultimately be paid to the doctors, raising concerns about compliance with the country's labor and tax laws, as well as international agreements.
Jamaica indicated that for months it tried to renegotiate the program with Cuba to align it with its legislation. However, it stated that it did not receive a substantive response from Havana, which ultimately led to the decision to cancel the agreement.
According to official data, 277 Cuban health professionals were working in Jamaica when the end of the program was announced.
The debate over these medical missions has intensified in recent years. Washington has indicated that they could involve labor exploitation, while the Cuban government rejects these accusations and defends its medical brigades as part of its international cooperation policy.
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