The San Juan Methodist Church, located in the heart of Santiago de Cuba, placed health professionals back at the center of one of its religious celebrations, this time to defend and acknowledge the work of doctors and other healthcare workers amidst increasing criticisms 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, which took place at the San Juan temple, and explained that healthcare professionals from Santiago came together "convinced that the reward for their effort 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 notable detail is that several attendees came carrying their university degrees, during an event specifically designed to acknowledge their education and the work they do.
Two days earlier, while calling for the so-called “Cult of the Beloved Doctor”, Bermúdez had explained the purpose of the initiative more clearly and defended the doctors against those who hold them accountable for the state of healthcare.
"In a context where everyone blames the doctors as responsible for the health crisis (we know very well who the real incompetents are), the 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," wrote the pastor on Facebook.
Although Bermúdez did not explicitly identify whom he was referring to when speaking of the "true inept," it is well known to everyone that the Cuban regime is the main responsible party for the collapse of the healthcare system, leaving little doubt about his words.
Defense takes on particular relevance in a scenario where Cuban doctors have publicly denounced salaries that are insufficient to meet their basic needs, a shortage of resources, and significant challenges to practice.
In May, a Cuban specialist explained that sheleft her profession because even by working more than five shifts a month, she could not earn enough to support her son.
Another doctor showed 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 healthcare 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 dressed in their coats.
The temple, located near 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 mere tributes. In February of this year, the church launched a day for the "Beloved Doctor" Project, where healthcare professionals provided free consultations and donated medications were distributed to those in need.
The pastor himself then explained that members of the congregation provided the medications and specialists volunteered their services.
The initiative took place again in March, when dozens of professionals assisted citizens under makeshift tents and distributed medicine donated by collaborators inside and outside of Cuba.
Bermúdez then emphasized that it was a "purely Christian" project and not coordinated with the authorities.
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