Cuban doctors residing in Spain are set to benefit from new opportunities in education, research, and professional guidance following the signing of a significant agreement in Madrid. This collaboration involves the Spanish Society of General and Family Doctors (SEMG) and the Association of Cuban Doctors in Spain (AMCUBE).
The primary aim of this agreement is to aid the assimilation of Cuban-trained professionals into the Spanish healthcare system. Many of these doctors face challenges in validating their qualifications and acquiring the necessary documents to practice.
The SEMG revealed in a statement that the agreement was formalized by its president, Pilar Rodríguez Ledo, and the president of AMCUBE, Guillermo Ponce Morales, a Cuban doctor with 27 years of professional experience in Spain.
Boosting Professional Growth and Knowledge Exchange
The partnership includes continuous education programs, joint research initiatives, participation in conferences, and exchanges of scientific knowledge. It also covers projects related to the integration of artificial intelligence in Primary Care.
Rodríguez Ledo expressed, "We aim to create opportunities to share knowledge and experience, enhance education, and promote scientific collaboration to improve public healthcare."
Legal Hurdles Persist Despite New Initiatives
While the agreement provides significant support, it does not eliminate the legal requirements for practicing in Spain, such as the validation of degrees, recognition of specialties, and registration, which remain under the jurisdiction of the relevant authorities.
This initiative follows years of demands from the medical community. In September 2024, over 150 Cuban doctors protested outside the Congress of Deputies, highlighting delays of up to seven years in the validation of their qualifications, a situation forcing many to take on jobs unrelated to their expertise.
Another barrier has been acquiring the non-disqualification certificate required for registration. Due to the Cuban authorities' failure to issue this document, the Medical College of Madrid approved a provisional registration in October 2024, conditional upon submitting the certificate within nine months.
Growing Numbers of Cuban Professionals in Spain
The significance of these efforts is evident in the increasing number of Cuban professionals looking to practice in Spain. In just the first half of 2025, 5,551 Cuban citizens received validation of their university degrees in Spain, according to data released in December of that year.
To kick off the new agreement, the organizations will host a virtual course on artificial intelligence and health on November 21, conducted by Dr. César Dilu Sorzano, at 6:00 PM Central European Time.
A week later, on November 28, Madrid will host the First Congress of Cuban Doctors in Spain, alongside the Ibero-American Doctors Symposium, at the Grupo CTO headquarters.
Moreover, the agreement ensures that the best scientific work presented at each congress edition can be considered for publication in the journal of General and Family Medicine, pending successful academic review.
FAQs About Cuban Doctors' Integration in Spain
What is the new agreement between SEMG and AMCUBE?
The agreement aims to provide Cuban doctors in Spain with opportunities for continuous education, research, and professional guidance to facilitate their integration into the Spanish healthcare system.
What challenges do Cuban doctors face in Spain?
Cuban doctors often struggle with validating their qualifications and obtaining the necessary documents to practice in Spain. Legal processes such as degree validation, specialty recognition, and registration remain challenging.
How many Cuban professionals have validated their degrees in Spain in 2025?
In the first half of 2025, 5,551 Cuban citizens successfully validated their university degrees in Spain.