A video shared on Facebook by Alianis Leyva starkly illustrates the harsh reality faced by Cuban doctors in terms of salary. With a monthly income of 7,045 Cuban pesos—equivalent to approximately 10 USD on the informal exchange rate—a newly graduated doctor can only afford a pound of beans, a kilogram of rice, a bottle of oil, three ripe bananas, and a pound of minced meat.
This basic grocery list totals 6,800 pesos, leaving a meager 200 pesos from the entire monthly salary.
"It's quite disheartening that such a crucial profession only allows them to afford one meal," Leyva remarks in the video.
The salary for a newly graduated doctor was set at 7,045 pesos by Resolution 17/2026 from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, effective July 1, 2026, with payments starting in August. Prior to this adjustment, the base salary was 4,610 pesos, marking a nominal increase of about 53%. However, given the current informal exchange rate of 699 pesos per dollar, those 7,045 pesos are worth just about 10 USD monthly.
Medical Salary Scale Post-Reform
Following the reform, the complete salary scale for medical professionals is as follows: resident doctor at 8,115 pesos, first-degree specialist at 8,500 pesos, and second-degree specialist at 8,880 pesos. None of these figures come close to the cost of living in Cuba.
The regime itself has admitted that the new salaries "remain insufficient to cover the basic basket of goods and services," a statement that starkly contrasts with the official narrative of continuous improvement.
Economic Struggles in the Cuban Market
Economist Javier Pérez Capdevila estimated that a Cuban family requires at least 96,060 pesos monthly, with 70,070 pesos needed solely for food—nearly 14 times the salary of a newly graduated doctor.
Prices in the informal market, where most Cubans purchase their food, continue to surge. Oil prices have reached 6,000 pesos or more per liter, a carton of eggs hit 4,200 pesos in August, and a pound of pork ranges from 1,500 to 1,900 pesos.
In this setting, a Cuban doctor known as "Maria Magdalena la Sacerdotisa" described the July salary increase as a "global embarrassment," while another noted that the new salary "doesn't even buy a pack of chicken," which costs 11,300 pesos.
Mass Exodus from the Health Sector
The salary crisis has fueled a massive exodus from the health sector: over 30,000 doctors left the National Health System between 2021 and 2024. In July 2025, the government acknowledged that more than 24,000 healthcare workers were serving abroad.
Leyva's video, which has garnered over 50,000 views, concludes with an open question to viewers: "Which other profession's monthly salary would you like to know?" This invitation highlights how widespread the issue of inadequate pay is in Cuba, affecting not just doctors but many others under the dictatorship's rule.
Understanding the Salary Crisis in Cuba's Health Sector
What does a newly graduated doctor's salary in Cuba cover?
A newly graduated doctor's salary in Cuba, approximately 7,045 pesos or 10 USD, barely covers basic groceries such as a pound of beans, a kilogram of rice, a bottle of oil, three bananas, and a pound of minced meat.
How does the salary scale for Cuban medical professionals compare to living costs?
The salary scale for Cuban medical professionals, even at its highest level, falls significantly short of the cost of living. Economists estimate that a family needs at least 96,060 pesos a month, which is nearly 14 times the salary of a newly graduated doctor.
What impact has the salary issue had on the Cuban health sector?
The inadequate salaries have led to a significant exodus from the health sector, with more than 30,000 doctors leaving between 2021 and 2024. The government admitted that over 24,000 healthcare workers were working abroad as of mid-2025.