Stand Up for Jamaica calls for clarity on Healthcare Gaps following end of Cuban medical care

Stand Up For Jamaica is calling for greater transparency and a clear national strategy following the withdrawal of Cuban medical personnel from Jamaica after more than five decades of cooperation under the Cuba–Jamaica Technical Cooperation Programme in Health.

For over 50 years, Cuban doctors, nurses, and medical technicians have played an important role in supporting Jamaica’s healthcare system, particularly in rural and underserved communities where access to specialized care has often been limited.

Their presence has been widely recognized as a valuable component of Jamaica’s public health infrastructure.

Stand Up For Jamaica acknowledges the concerns raised by the Government of Jamaica regarding compliance with Jamaican labour laws and international conventions, including matters relating to salary payment arrangements and the custody of travel documents. These issues, as outlined in the Government’s recent media release, warrant careful attention and must be addressed in ways that protect workers’ rights and uphold Jamaica’s legal obligations. But they could have solved since the partnership was established.

At the same time, the organization notes that the programme has now efectively ended following the withdrawal of Cuban personnel, bringing to a close a long-standing partnership between Jamaica and Cuba in the area of healthcare cooperation.

Stand Up For Jamaica believes it is important that the Jamaican public be fully informed about the implications of this development. In particular, the organization is seeking clarity on how the Government decided to disconnect their service without any form of dialogue with Cuba Government.

A mediation can be settled in order to fulfl all Jamaican formal requirement.

For 50 years none of such concerns was dealt with and it sounds bizarre that suddenly what was a regular practice for such a long time becomes and obstacle to continue a partnership which has been successful for both sides.

The organization also recognizes that the broader geopolitical environment, including tensions between the United States and Cuba, has infuenced discussions surrounding similar medical cooperation programmes in several countries.

However, Stand Up For Jamaica emphasizes that Jamaica must remain focused on its own national priorities and healthcare needs.

All CARICOM countries have been afected by the US warning but answers have brought to light that solutions are there .Guyana Government responded by terminating government to

government arrangement.

But rather than sending doctors and nurses home the administration moved to a new model, employing them directly under Guyanese law “ We ensure that they are paid within the laws of our country as and under the same conditions as any other worker is paid, that it is to receive the money directly” President Ali said.

The distinction is critical Under the previous bilateral agreements ,payments were fowing through Cuban authorities .Now each medical professional is working in Guyana individually and working in Guyana is hired individually and compensated directly, bringing the arrangement in line with all other foreign workers are treated.

Stand Up For Jamaica is therefore encouraging the Government to consider the humanitarian crisis Cuba is experiencing, consider our national needs and clarify its decision.