The San Juan Methodist Church, located in the heart of Santiago de Cuba, once again placed healthcare professionals at the forefront of one of its religious celebrations, this time to support and acknowledge the work of doctors and other health workers amid the growing criticism regarding the deterioration of the healthcare system on the island.
The pastor Darlon Bermúdez, leader of the congregation, shared images of the gathering on Facebook this Sunday, held at the San Juan temple, and explained that healthcare professionals from Santiago gathered "convinced that the reward for their efforts comes from God and not from men."
He added that many of the participants "received Christ as their Savior."
The photographs shared by Bermúdez show numerous healthcare workers both inside the temple and in its surroundings.
A striking detail is that several attendees brought their university degrees, during an event specifically designed to acknowledge their education and the work they do.
Two days prior, when calling for the so-called «Cult of the Beloved Doctor», Bermúdez had explained more clearly the purpose of the initiative and defended doctors against those who hold them responsible for the state of healthcare.
"In a context where everyone blames doctors for the healthcare crisis (we know very well who the real incompetents are), San Juan Church wants to honor them in the name of the Lord and pray for you for the beautiful work you do every day," the pastor wrote on Facebook, post that was deleted a few hours later.
Although Bermúdez did not explicitly identify whom he referred to when speaking of the "true inept," it is well known to everyone that the Cuban regime is primarily responsible for the collapse of the healthcare system, making his words leave little doubt.
Defense takes on special significance in a context where Cuban doctors have publicly reported salaries that are unable to meet their basic needs, a shortage of resources, and immense difficulties in practicing their profession.
In May, a Cuban specialist explained that she abandoned her profession because even after doing more than five shifts a month, she could not earn enough to support her child.
Another doctor demonstrated that same month how she spent her 8,760 pesos monthly salary in just one day on food and other daily expenses, while other professionals have turned to side activities to supplement their income.
The relationship between the San Juan Methodist Church and health professionals did not start now.
In July 2024, the congregation held another large-scale "Beloved Doctor Service" to honor and bless the healthcare staff of Santiago de Cuba.
On that occasion, hundreds of people gathered inside and outside the temple, and numerous doctors arrived wearing their coats.
The temple, located in the vicinity of the central Céspedes Park, has also become an important hub for community and religious activities in the heart of the city.
The work of Bermúdez and his congregation has gone beyond just tributes. In February of this year, the church launched a day of the “Beloved Doctor” Project, during which healthcare professionals provided free consultations and distributed donated medications to those in need.
The pastor himself then explained that members of the congregation contributed the medications and the specialists voluntarily offered their services.
The initiative was held again in March, when dozens of professionals assisted citizens under makeshift tents and distributed medications provided by collaborators from both inside and outside Cuba.
Bermúdez then emphasized that it was a "purely Christian" project and was not coordinated with the authorities.
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