Relatives of doctors and healthcare workers who recently returned from a mission in Algeria have reported that their loved ones are stranded in Havana, housed at Cujae, with no transportation available to return to their provinces.
Journalist Yosmany Mayeta shared on Facebook that a source informed him about the arrival of a flight from Algeria on Monday, carrying healthcare personnel, some of whom have been working abroad for five years, and others who are ill.
The son of one of the collaborators, who asked to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals from the regime, criticized the lack of support from the Ministry of Public Health for the doctors returning from the mission in Algeria.
The young man pointed out that this situation persists despite the money the country earns through the regime's program of sending Cuban doctors abroad.
He also mentioned that after two and a half days of travel, the healthcare personnel were informed that no transportation was available to take them to their provinces, preventing them from reuniting with their families.
The whistleblower emphasized that these healthcare professionals are struggling at Cujae, with their belongings scattered, without receiving an adequate response, demonstrating a lack of consideration for those who have worked abroad for years while the regime pockets the majority of their salaries.
The young man explained that last year, in a similar situation, they had to pool nearly 200,000 pesos to rent a bus to take them home.
"I am the son of one of them, and I am really tired of the disrespect from these leaders," the young man concluded.
"It's not easy working like slaves for several years, generating profits for the pockets of many bosses, only to return to Cuba and be mistreated," added Mayeta, echoing the complaint and the discontent of these families.
The Cuban medical mission in Algeria has faced severe criticism in the past.
Historical Issues with Cuban Medical Missions
In 2021, the head of the mission at that time, Dr. Reinaldo Menéndez, stated that only 503 healthcare workers in Algeria received their MLC bank deposit in Cuba corresponding to the owed money up until August, according to an audio leaked by América Te Vé.
"I want to inform you that they have just officially credited the MLC cards to 503 collaborators who have beneficiaries in Cuba," said Menéndez.
The payment did not cover all the outstanding debt nor all the workers, thus dissatisfaction persisted among a group that was reporting approximately 65 million euros annually due to the 890 doctors working in Algeria, according to official data.
However, the problem has been ongoing since 2020 when a group of doctors reported that they had not received their salaries from the Cuban government for three months, as one of the affected individuals confirmed to CiberCuba.
Questions About Cuban Doctors Stranded in Havana
Below are some frequently asked questions regarding the situation of Cuban doctors stranded in Havana after their mission in Algeria.
Why are the doctors stranded in Havana?
The doctors are stranded in Havana due to the lack of available transportation to take them back to their respective provinces.
How long have some of these doctors been working abroad?
Some of these doctors have been working abroad for up to five years.
What has been the response of the Ministry of Public Health?
The Ministry of Public Health has been criticized for not providing adequate support to the returning doctors.
What did the healthcare workers do last year in a similar situation?
Last year, the healthcare workers pooled nearly 200,000 pesos to rent a bus to take them home.