The Government of Belize has once again postponed the decision regarding the future of the Cuban medical brigade working in that country, composed of about 92 health professionals, while continuing to negotiate an alternative that would allow them to maintain their services without resorting to the current cooperation model with Havana.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, confirmed on Wednesday, October 14, that the talks remain open and expressed his confidence in reaching a solution before the end of the month.
"We continue to work on this. We have extended the deadline, but I am very optimistic and believe we are getting closer to a solution," the official stated, according to 7News Belize.
When asked when a decision might be made, he replied: "I hope by the end of October, so just a few more weeks. I have high hopes that we can reach a very good solution to this issue."
The announcement marks yet another delay, after the Belizean authorities indicated that September was the month in which the future of the medical mission should be determined.
Belize seeks to hire Cuban professionals directly
One of the alternatives being considered by the Government is to offer individual contracts to Cuban doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers who are already providing services in Belize, instead of maintaining the program under its current structure.
The proposal would allow professionals to be hired and compensated directly by the Belizean authorities, in accordance with the demands put forth by the United States regarding Cuba's international medical missions.
Washington has questioned the agreements through which the Cuban government receives payments for the services of its professionals abroad and has pressured several countries to modify or terminate those programs. However, according to Love FM, Belize was not participating in that payment modality.
In addition, the media recalls that Belize's Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, had previously reported that the proposal for individual contracting was submitted to the Cuban authorities and required their approval.
However, Fonseca's latest statements do not confirm that Havana has accepted that formula or that a new agreement has been signed.
So far, there has been no official announcement regarding the cancellation of the brigade or the departure of its members from the country.
About 92 Cubans work in the healthcare system of Belize
In September, when Belize announced that it would define the future of the 92 Cuban professionals that same month, Minister Kevin Bernard warned about the consequences that their withdrawal would have.
The members of the mission include general practitioners, specialists, nurses, and technicians who work both in hospitals and in remote communities away from the main urban centers.
The situation is particularly delicate in the Toledo district, in the south of the country, where, according to the data provided at that time by Bernard, eight of the 16 available doctors were Cuban.
The minister had acknowledged that the departure of these professionals would exacerbate the personnel shortage already facing the public healthcare system.
For this reason, the Belizean government has repeatedly expressed its interest in finding a solution that would allow for the preservation of at least part of the Cuban medical assistance.
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