As hospitals in Cuba grapple with a shortage of medical professionals, the Caribbean nation has sent 200 specialist doctors to Mexico, joining other healthcare workers already employed at IMSS Bienestar hospitals. Marcos Rodríguez Costa, the island's ambassador to Mexico, announced on the social media platform X that the new doctors arrived last Friday at the Felipe Ángeles International Airport.
The diplomat mentioned that this healthcare personnel would be working alongside their Mexican colleagues in 19 states across Mexico. Rodríguez boasted that "mutual cooperation for the benefit of both peoples, humanism, and solidarity are guiding principles"; however, this program has faced criticism as many believe it is a way to finance the Havana regime with Mexican funds.
Recently, Mexico announced plans to increase the number of Cuban doctors employed in the country to 3,800, despite the shortage of healthcare professionals affecting the Caribbean island. Currently, 1,200 Cuban doctors are working in various IMSS-Bienestar hospitals. This initiative is part of the IMSS-Bienestar program, which aims to improve medical care in 23 Mexican states.
Zoé Robledo Aburto, director of the Mexican Social Security Institute (IMSS) and responsible for the consolidation of IMSS-Bienestar, stated in an interview with the leftist newspaper La Jornada that the new organization faces significant challenges to ensure the operation of medical services and to guarantee that users receive quality and free healthcare.
However, the recent arrival of ten Cuban specialist doctors in the Mexican state of San Luis Potosí has sparked dissatisfaction among the residents, a discontent that the government has had to officially acknowledge. Daniel Acosta Díaz de León, head of IMSS-Bienestar in San Luis Potosí, admitted that the arrival of Cuban doctors has caused unrest among the population, who believe those positions should be filled by local doctors, according to El Sol de San Luis.
Implications of Cuban Doctors in Mexico
The deployment of Cuban doctors in Mexico has raised several questions and concerns. Here, we address some of the most pressing inquiries regarding this controversial program.
Why is Cuba sending doctors to Mexico?
Cuba is sending doctors to Mexico as part of a mutual cooperation agreement aimed at enhancing healthcare services in Mexico while providing financial support to the Cuban government.
How many Cuban doctors are currently working in Mexico?
As of now, there are 1,200 Cuban doctors working in various IMSS-Bienestar hospitals across Mexico. The number is expected to increase to 3,800.
What are the main criticisms of this program?
The main criticisms of the program include concerns that it serves as a means to finance the Cuban regime with Mexican funds and that it takes away job opportunities from local Mexican doctors.
What challenges does IMSS-Bienestar face?
IMSS-Bienestar faces significant challenges, including ensuring the effective operation of medical services and guaranteeing that patients receive quality and free healthcare.