The Belize government is dismissing claims that Cuban doctors are being shown the exit door after prominent activist, conservationist, and politician, Wil Maheia earlier this week said that boxes containing the personal belongings of the doctors were being shipped back to Cuba
Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard in rejecting the allegation, said it is ‘so unfortunate to see somebody taking something out of context’ and that the Cubans who are here ‘take vacation every year at different times of the year’Not everybody could go on vacation at the same time of the year and it is a norm that when they go back, they take items for their families. So, for Mr. Maheia, and I will call his name, because that was very irresponsible of him to go on social media to try and paint a picture as if it is fact, when that is far from true’.
The Health Minister said that the Cubans are working within the local health system, and ‘ as I have said yesterday in response to the two media houses who reached out to me, there are ongoing diplomatic talks as it relates to the Cuban brigade.
‘These people continue to be employed and continue to work across our health system here in Belize and we are hoping that at the end of the day, when these diplomatic talks are over, we can find an amicable solution as it relates to the Cuban brigade.
‘But I will continue to say that we appreciate the support the Cuban people have been giving to Belize. And there is no truth to us sending Cubans home one by one, as is insinuated in that post. That is will say about that,’ said Bernard.
The United States has been urging Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries to cancel their health medical programmes with Havana, claiming that these programmes are being conducted under forced labour.
Antigua and Barbuda, Jamaica, and Guyana have either ended or scaled back their official use of Cuban medical brigades even as some Caribbean leaders say they are willing to risk losing their United States visa rather than drop the health programmes.
Washington has said there is ‘alternative methods available for Caribbean nations to recruit foreign medical workers and ethically meet the healthcare needs of their people’.
Bernard said the Belize government is also strengthening the country’s own medical workforce with the goal being to ensure Belizeans continue receiving essential healthcare services, regardless of the outcome of those diplomatic talks.
‘I believe that, as I said, the discussions are ongoing and I believe that Cabinet will be briefed in terms of what possible solution we will have and I am hoping that by this September, both for the benefit of the Cuban brigade, they want assurances as well, and so we need to ensure that we can solve this matter amicably and for the benefit of Belizeans. There are people here in our health system providing a service,’ he added.
Bernard said talks are also underway to bring medical professionals from the Philippines to serve in Belize.