A Cuban Health Alert

A Cuban Health Alert
January 30, 2015
Fernando Ravsberg*

HAVANA TIMES — Cuba's Ministry of Public Health has reportedly presented
medical doctors working in Brazil with an ultimatum, stating that, if
their accompanying relatives do not return to the island before next
Sunday, they will be expelled from their missions.

On December 17, Dr. Marina de la Torre, one of the officials responsible
for training the medical doctors who work abroad, told us that Cuba is
trying to send MD couples together and that, when one of them does not
work in public health, there is no objection to their traveling to join
their partners through their own means.

A text written by Cuban doctors and circulated through the Internet
claims that Cuba is setting up all of the obstacles, while Brazil has
issued a law that makes it easier for "medical doctors involved in the
[More Doctors] program to live with their families during their time in
Brazil."

These doctors believe it is absurd that they should be authorized "to
have relationships with a Brazilian, even marry them, but that living
with their Cuban wife or husband is considered an act of indiscipline by
the Cuban Ministry of Health."

Medical professionals explain that "bringing one's family over is not
illegal, neither under Cuban nor Brazilian law. It is only illegal for
our Minister of Public Health, who imposes this regulation on us without
an explanation, telling us that, if we don't send our relatives back
before February 1st, our work contract here will be terminated."

They claim that no such condition "was ever included in the contract we
signed with Cuba. It's just the Minister of Health, exercising and
abusing his power, who is imposing this on us, knowing he has full
control over us."

The Ministry of Health headquarters in Havana.
The doctors remind readers that they "inject money into our country and
that, today, medical services offered abroad are the country's main
source of revenue. This, though many don't see it this way, is thanks to
our sacrifices. It's true we receive a small benefit, but it is nothing
compared to what we give the State."

Several doctors that I know who are working in Brazil have confirmed
that this situation is real and has people very upset, particularly
because the measure was never discussed with them – they were simply
presented with the "final" Ministry resolution.

I have no idea what could lie behind this directive or why this radical
change took place between December 17 and February 1. What seems
unjustified is that the measure should be applied without any kind of
previous consultation and that it should involve a threat.

What the Cuban doctors in Brazil are saying is entirely true: they are
the country's main economic pillar. The Minister of Health would not be
able to put fuel in his car if it weren't for the thousands of
physicians working in Venezuela in exchange for oil.

Cuba cannot spit on the hand that feeds it or be ungrateful towards
those who travel abroad to work under the worst conditions, in remote
rural regions, the jungle or poor urban neighborhoods, or to combat
dangerous epidemics.

This white-coated army has already suffered dozens of deaths in the
fulfillment of its duties and that alone ought to inspire the respect of
all Cubans. They have willingly left behind their families many a time,
but, if Brazil has no objections, why should they be separated
unnecessarily?

Many of these medical doctors could have left Cuba's public health
sector, gone for their families and moved to another country, and earn
much more than they do now. However, they have decided to continue
working for the benefit of the entire nation and all Cubans.

Source: A Cuban Health Alert - Havana Times.org -
http://www.havanatimes.org/?p=109009