Mexico Deploys 199 Cuban Doctors to Rural Clinics

Mexico has deployed 199 Cuban doctors to underserved regions as part of the IMSS Bienestar program, aiming to address critical staffing shortages in rural clinics across 11 states, including Nayarit, Guerrero, and Oaxaca. These specialists, trained in 29 medical fields such as internal medicine, pediatrics, and emergency care, are expected to alleviate gaps in healthcare access in facilities that average only 20 beds and four physicians.

Since 2002, a collaborative agreement between Mexico and Cuba has facilitated the deployment of over 3,650 Cuban healthcare workers to Mexico, incurring a cost exceeding US$22.87 million by late 2023, reports Yucatan times. This sum has covered salaries, lodging, transfers, and food for the personnel. The program expanded in 2024 to bring an additional 2,700 specialists, supplementing the 950 already active in the country, writes Reuters. 

Cuban medical missions, which began in 1963, have sent over 407,000 healthcare professionals to 164 countries. While these missions are celebrated for improving global healthcare access, they have drawn criticism for labor practices. According to Prisoners Defenders, a human rights group, Cuban doctors often do not receive direct compensation; payments are managed by the Cuban government. The UN has labeled these practices as "forced labor" and “modern slavery,” a stance echoed by Human Rights Watch in 2020. In May 2024, the US State Department reiterated concerns about the vulnerability of Cuban workers in such programs.

Despite these criticisms, the IMSS Bienestar initiative underscores Mexico's commitment to improving healthcare services in marginalized regions. Cuban specialists continue to play a vital role in addressing longstanding systemic challenges, emphasizing the program's potential to enhance healthcare delivery.