KINGSTON, Jamaica - The opposition People’s National Party’s (PNP) spokesman on Health Dr. Alfred Dawes says the ending of government’s arrangement with Cuba concerning the deployment of medical professionals, will have negative impacts for Jamaicans.
Dr Alfred DawesDawes, in an interview on Irie FM pointed to the significant work which has been carried out by Cuban healthcare workers over the years, adding that the field of eye care will be largely impacted.
He also said while the government has indicated that it is engaging other countries such as Ghana for the provision of health services, he is not sure if they will integrate as smoothly as Cubans did.
On Thursday, the government announced that it was discontinuing the current arrangement saying that the decision comes as both governments were unable to agree on the terms and conditions of a new technical cooperation arrangement, following the expiration of the previous agreement in February 2023.
“In the interest of continuity of the valuable service provided by the Cuban medical professionals present in the country, and for their personal certainty and well-being, the Government of Jamaica has indicated its willingness for the Ministry of Health and Wellness to engage these medical professionals on an individual basis, in keeping with local labour laws. This arrangement would last for the remainder of their scheduled tenure in Jamaica under the programme,” the government said.
Foreign Affairs Minister, Kamina Johnson Smith, told Parliament on Thursday that the government’s decision to discontinue the 50-year-old medical cooperation programme with Cuba was not influenced by the United States. She said the move stemmed from unresolved issues in renegotiating the agreement.
In response, Cuba said it will withdraw all its medical professionals from Jamaica less than 48 hours after the Jamaican government said it was discontinuing the current arrangement with Havana.
“Cuba regrets the decision of the government of Jamaica to cease medical cooperation, yielding to pressure from the U.S,” according to a statement issued by Cuba’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
