The recent arrival of ten Cuban specialist doctors in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí has sparked discontent among the local population, a sentiment that the government has had to officially acknowledge.
Daniel Acosta Díaz de León, head of IMSS-Bienestar in San Luis Potosí, admitted that the presence of Cuban doctors has caused frustration among residents, who believe that these positions should be filled by local physicians, as reported by El Sol de San Luis.
The official stated, “There has been resistance to foreign doctors coming here, but despite numerous calls, we have not been able to fill these positions, which is why we turned to hiring Cuban doctors.”
In this regard, Acosta noted that multiple calls for applications have been issued, but Mexican doctors “disregard those positions,” he emphasized. The ten recently arrived Cuban doctors have been assigned to Ciudad Valles and Rioverde in San Luis Potosí, where they will practice in various specialties such as dermatology, pediatrics, psychiatry, and rehabilitation, among others.
Acosta explained to the cited news portal that contracts with foreign doctors are limited, so once they expire, these doctors must take a vacation before they can return to work, provided their services are still needed.
He also highlighted that the government aims to fully staff medical units so that people do not have to travel to the state capital for healthcare. Acosta gave an example that 400 orthopedic surgeries are currently pending and acknowledged that there could be many more, stating, “There is a lot of work to be done.”
Last May, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez met with Zoé Robledo Aburto, Director General of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS), to finalize agreements regarding the contract for 1,200 Cuban doctors in Mexico. The meeting focused on strengthening medical cooperation between Cuba and Mexico, aiming to sign an unprecedented contract.
However, the initiative, although presented as a solution to the shortage of medical personnel in Mexico's rural areas, has faced criticism from healthcare professionals. Mexican doctor Francisco Moreno, former head of medicine at the renowned ABC Medical Center in Mexico City, criticized the government for hiring Cuban doctors without verifying their qualifications and training.
During a broadcast on El Financiero, Moreno denounced that the Mexican government hired the Cuban doctors without considering “the equivalence of their studies,” warning that their “true capability” is also unknown.
He emphasized the contradiction that Mexican doctors are required to provide extensive documentation to practice, while the Cuban doctors are not asked for any such credentials by the government.
Public Discontent Over Cuban Doctors in Mexico
The arrival of Cuban doctors in Mexico has led to several questions and concerns among the public and healthcare professionals. Here are some frequently asked questions and their answers:
Why are Cuban doctors working in Mexico?
The Mexican government has hired Cuban doctors to fill medical positions that local physicians have been reluctant to take, especially in rural areas.
What are the main concerns regarding the hiring of Cuban doctors?
Concerns include the lack of verification of the Cuban doctors' qualifications and training, and the perception that these positions should be filled by local doctors.
How many Cuban doctors are expected to work in Mexico under the new agreement?
The agreement between Cuba and Mexico includes the deployment of 1,200 Cuban doctors to various regions in Mexico.