The Brazilian Ministry of Health announced on Thursday that the Mais Médicos program, which recently faced sanctions from the United States, currently involves the participation of 2,659 Cuban doctors. Established in 2013 to provide healthcare in remote areas and underserved neighborhoods, Mais Médicos includes professionals from 55 countries.
Cuban doctors make up 10% of the 26,414 active physicians in the program. Among them, 1,064 have had their credentials recognized in Brazil, while 1,593 obtained their qualifications abroad. Despite these differences, all doctors work under the same conditions as local professionals, according to the EFE news agency.
Following Cuba, the countries with the highest representation are Bolivia (188 doctors), Venezuela (82), Paraguay (55), Peru (42), Argentina (30), Colombia (27), Ecuador (13), Uruguay (12), and Haiti (12). The majority of participants, however, are Brazilian, comprising 60% of the total.
This information emerged after U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced sanctions, including the revocation of visas for Brazil's current Health Ministry Secretary, Mozart Sales, and former official Alberto Kleiman. They are accused of facilitating the "export of coercive labor" through this program. Rubio labeled the initiative as an "unthinkable diplomatic affront" and urged for doctors to be paid directly, bypassing the Cuban government.
Brazil's Health Minister, Alexandre Padilha, dismissed the sanctions and defended the program as a life-saving policy. He noted that when it was initiated under President Dilma Rousseff, the salaries of Cuban doctors were channeled through the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), with the Cuban government retaining a portion. Now, however, professionals receive their full salary directly from the Brazilian state.
In 2018, the program faced setbacks when then-President Jair Bolsonaro criticized the hiring of Cuban doctors, leading to the withdrawal of around 8,000 professionals. Nevertheless, with Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva's return to power in 2023, cooperation has resumed, despite the shortage of doctors on the island itself.
Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez stated that Cuba will not abandon these missions, which currently employ over 24,000 workers in 56 countries, describing them as "solidarity-based" and "life-saving." However, the situation in Cuba is starkly different. In 2023 alone, Cuba lost 13,303 doctors, as reported by the Statistical Yearbook on Public Health and Social Assistance, published by the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI).
The number of doctors in Cuba decreased from 94,066 in 2022 to 80,763 in 2023, highlighting a concerning exodus of healthcare professionals. This exodus is impacting medical care on the island, where many Cubans lament the lack of available doctors and specialists when they visit hospitals.
Key Aspects of Brazil's Mais Médicos Program
What is the purpose of Brazil's Mais Médicos program?
Mais Médicos was created to provide healthcare services in remote and underserved areas of Brazil, integrating doctors from 55 different countries to address the medical needs of these communities.
Why are Cuban doctors significant to the program?
Cuban doctors constitute 10% of the active physicians in the Mais Médicos program, playing a crucial role in delivering healthcare services across Brazil, especially in areas lacking local medical professionals.
What were the consequences of the U.S. sanctions on the program?
The U.S. sanctions included revoking visas for key Brazilian health officials, accusing them of supporting the export of coercive labor through Mais Médicos, challenging the program's diplomatic standing.
How has the political climate in Brazil affected the program?
Political changes, such as the presidency of Jair Bolsonaro, led to criticisms and withdrawal of Cuban doctors. However, the return of Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to power has revitalized cooperation within the program.