Two hundred Cuban health professionals are working across Jamaica’s Regional Health Authorities and the University Hospital of the West Indies under individual employment contracts governed by Jamaican law, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Christopher Tufton has said.
Addressing the House of Representatives during debate on the Parliamentary Motion on the Economic and Humanitarian Situation in Cuba, approved on October 27, Tufton said the contracts had enabled Cuban personnel to continue serving after the government-to-government arrangement ended.
He said Jamaica had sought terms requiring the professionals to receive their pay directly and retain possession of their travel documents, consistent with Jamaican law and international labour conventions.
The last bilateral arrangements expired in February 2023, Tufton told the House. Efforts to agree on revised terms were unsuccessful, and Jamaica concluded the government-to-government arrangements in March.
The Government nevertheless made clear that it wanted Cuban healthcare workers to remain through individual employment contracts, he said.
Of the 278 Cuban professionals serving in Jamaica in March, 43 chose to stay under those contracts. A further 57 doctors, nurses and other professionals who returned to Cuba have since come back to Jamaica under the same terms.
Tufton said other professionals wishing to return would also be welcome to contribute to the country’s health services.
Despite the change in employment arrangements, the minister said Jamaica remained committed to its longstanding friendship with Cuba. He credited Cuban healthcare personnel with supporting Jamaica during staff shortages, disasters and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Through the deployment of its healthcare professionals, Cuba stood with Jamaica when we needed it most,” he said.
Tufton also expressed support for humanitarian assistance to Cuba, pointing to the difficulties ordinary families face in accessing medicines, medical supplies, food and energy.
“Jamaica will continue to support every effort to ease that hardship,” he told the House.
He said friendship and mutual respect would continue to guide the relationship between the two countries.
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