A Cuban doctor recently shared a group photo on Facebook, capturing a moment from when she and five other colleagues were completing their medical rotations in intermediate care. Her poignant message highlights the dire state of the island's healthcare system: "Out of six brave souls, not one remains."
Yaneisy Agras La O, the author of the post, reveals that none of the six specialists in the photo are currently working in the healthcare sector.
"So many fond memories flood my mind—so much love for medicine, so many dreams, hopes, and expectations that have now turned to dust," she expressed.
To those who might attribute their departure to lack of interest or greed, Yaneisy was clear: the reasons are not a lack of passion for medicine, monetary interests, or ingratitude.
"Exhaustion, pain, frustration, the helplessness of wanting to act and not being able to, of trying to live off our knowledge and efforts but failing," she detailed in her post.
This testimony comes amid an unprecedented exodus of medical personnel.
According to the National Office of Statistics and Information (ONEI), Cuba's total number of doctors fell from 106,131 in 2021 to just 75,364 by 2024, marking a loss of nearly 30,800 doctors in three years.
The most significant decline occurred between 2022 and 2023, with the nation losing 13,303 physicians in just one year, particularly impacting the field of Comprehensive General Medicine.
The exodus of professionals is further compounded by deteriorating working conditions. A newly graduated doctor earns 4,610 pesos monthly, while those with high specialization can make up to 7,500 pesos, amounts insufficient to meet basic needs in a country plagued by chronic shortages and soaring prices.
In May 2026, a Cuban doctor with a specialty and teaching credentials left the profession because her salary couldn't support her child.
This economic reality is exacerbated by migration restrictions. Decree 306 of 2012, expanded in January 2023 to include medical specialists, dentists, and healthcare technicians, classifies these professionals as "vital" workers, requiring employer approval to leave the country.
On Monday, this situation sparked massive outrage among thousands of regulated doctors following an open letter from Dr. Alberto Tejeda, a specialist from Santiago de Cuba, to the Minister of Public Health.
In July 2025, Minister José Ángel Portal Miranda acknowledged an "unprecedented structural crisis" in the sector, as the government confirmed more than 24,000 health workers were serving abroad.
Yaneisy described her generation as "young dreamers we once were, now reinvented to survive," summarizing the journey of thousands of professionals trained with Cuban state resources who the system could not retain.
She concluded her message with hope: "Colleagues, I love you and have faith in God that one day we'll smile again at our patients with the satisfaction of a job well done."
Key Issues in Cuba's Healthcare Exodus
What is causing the loss of medical professionals in Cuba?
The loss is attributed to poor working conditions, insufficient salaries, and restrictive migration policies that prevent doctors from leaving the country without approval.
How many doctors has Cuba lost in recent years?
Cuba has lost nearly 30,800 doctors from 2021 to 2024, with the most significant drop occurring between 2022 and 2023.
What are the financial challenges faced by Cuban doctors?
Cuban doctors earn between 4,610 and 7,500 pesos per month, amounts that are inadequate to cover basic living expenses in a country with rampant inflation and scarcity.