Bahamas' Health Minister, Dr. Michael Darville, has confirmed that Cuban doctors stationed in the Caribbean nation are eager to remain under direct contracts with the Bahamian government. However, he emphasized that this desire hinges on approval from the United States. The shift in the status of Cuban medical professionals in the Bahamas comes after the local government decided to sever ties with the Cuban Medical Services Trading Company (CSMC), the state-run agency responsible for these missions.
In a move to offer direct contracts to Cuban healthcare workers, Bahamian authorities are seeking Washington's nod. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has criticized Cuban medical brigades, labeling them as a form of modern slavery. The threat of U.S. migration sanctions, including visa revocations for officials and their families, has prompted Nassau to reconsider its existing arrangement with Havana.
Dr. Darville indicated that the Bahamas is actively working to reduce its reliance on Cuban medical cooperation by recruiting healthcare personnel from countries like India, the Philippines, and Ghana. Despite the political and diplomatic discussions, the fate of these Cuban professionals remains uncertain, caught between a host government that needs them, U.S. political pressures, and the looming influence of the Cuban government.
A leaked contract from 2022 revealed that the Bahamas was paying up to $12,000 monthly per Cuban doctor, while these professionals received only between $990 and $1,200, with the remainder going to the Cuban government. Additionally, there are allegations of passport confiscation, surveillance, movement restrictions, and reprisals against doctors who desert or criticize the system.
Regardless of these conditions, the 35 Cuban doctors currently working in the Bahamas, which include ophthalmologists, an optometrist, nurses, X-ray technicians, physiotherapists, and biomedical specialists, have expressed a strong desire to stay and work freely in the country. In response to U.S. migration sanctions, Bahamian Prime Minister Philip Brave Davis has announced that his government will directly pay all foreign workers, including Cubans, to ensure they are not subjected to forced labor.
Prime Minister Davis admitted that sharing an employee's salary with a government could be perceived as forced labor, though he stated there is no evidence of such abuses occurring in the Bahamas. "If we find that, we will correct it," he assured.
The situation in the Bahamas highlights the cracks in a model that has been a significant revenue source for Havana but also a source of hardship and restrictions for thousands of Cuban professionals who simply want the freedom to practice their vocation.
Cuban Doctors in the Bahamas: Key Questions Answered
Why do Cuban doctors want to stay in the Bahamas?
Cuban doctors want to remain in the Bahamas to work under direct contracts with the Bahamian government, hoping for better working conditions and freedom from the Cuban government's control.
What role does the U.S. play in the situation of Cuban doctors in the Bahamas?
The U.S. has a significant role as Bahamian authorities are seeking Washington's approval to offer direct contracts to Cuban doctors. Additionally, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has criticized Cuban medical missions, impacting diplomatic decisions.
What actions has the Bahamian government taken regarding Cuban doctors?
The Bahamian government has decided to cut ties with the Cuban Medical Services Trading Company and intends to pay all foreign workers directly, including Cuban doctors, to prevent forced labor conditions.