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More than 40 Cuban healthcare workers who were part of the bilateral medical cooperation program between Jamaica and Cuba have decided not to return to the island and are staying in the Caribbean country under individual contracts, as confirmed by Jamaican Minister of Health and Wellness, Dr. Christopher Tufton, during statements made to reporters in Kingston.
According to Caribbean National Weekly, Tufton revealed that, of the approximately 278 Cuban doctors who were participating in the program before its cancellation, more than 40 chose to stay. "Of that number, more than 40 decided not to return [to Cuba] and were granted individual contracts and are now working in the [local health] system," said the minister.
What makes the decision of these professionals even more significant is that some have been in Jamaica for five years or more and have taken a formal step: applying for permanent residency. "Some of those here on work permits have been in the country for a while and have expressed their interest in obtaining permanent residency, which is permitted by law," Tufton stated.
The Jamaican government not only accepted those who stayed but also extended an open invitation to everyone else. "Everyone was offered a letter stating that if they were interested, we would be willing to reach out to them based on their own interests, but on the basis of individual contracts," the minister explained, adding that even some of those who have already returned to Cuba have expressed interest in coming back.
The bilateral program came to an end after nearly three years of unsuccessful negotiations to renew the framework agreement, which had expired in February 2023. Jamaica detected structural irregularities in the Cuban scheme: doctors' salaries were transferred directly to the Cuban government in dollars—not to the professionals themselves—and many did not have access to their passports, in violation of local and international labor laws.
Cuba unilaterally withdrew its brigade of 277 professionals, attributing the decision to "pressures from the United States." The majority of the brigade returned to the island on March 27 in a ceremony presented by the regime as a "triumphant return." However, more than 40 of those professionals did not participate in the collective return, a figure that represents approximately 14% of the total program.
The departure of the brigade affected specific services. At St. Joseph's Hospital in Kingston, where the Cuban Ophthalmological Care Program was operating, only six of the 18 assigned Cuban workers remained. The operations of that center have been integrated with the Public Hospital of Kingston, with some Cuban employees working at both facilities to maintain care.
In light of the critical shortage of specialists—particularly in radiology and oncology—Jamaica has diversified its international partnerships. The government recently signed a memorandum of understanding with India for cooperation in healthcare personnel and is in talks with the Apollo healthcare system in that country for hospital expansion in the western part of the island. Jamaica also has an active agreement with Ghana and is negotiating with Nigeria.
The Jamaican case is not an isolated one. What happens to Cuban doctors upon completing their missions abroad reflects a pattern that is repeating in various countries. Antigua and Barbuda also canceled its agreement with Cuba at the end of 2025, hiring 120 professionals from Ghana as replacements.
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