Italy's southern Calabria region is continuing its program to employ Cuban doctors, pushing back against U.S. pressure to end the initiative. The region, grappling with a severe shortage of its own healthcare workers, relies on over 200 Cuban medical professionals to staff remote hospitals.
Calabria's governor, Roberto Occhiuto, stated that the region needs the Cuban doctors to keep hospitals operational, even though their presence is a point of contention with the United States. The U.S. has long criticized Cuba's medical missions, characterizing them as a revenue source for the Cuban government and, in the words of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, a "form of human trafficking."
Despite facing U.S. pressure, which has led some Caribbean and Central American countries to cancel similar programs, Occhiuto has refused to terminate the arrangement. He acknowledged that the Cuban government's socialist system does not align with his political views, but emphasized the region's dependence on the doctors.
Calabria, located at the southern tip of Italy's boot, faces significant developmental challenges compared to the country's more industrialized north. It ranks last among Italy's 20 regions in public healthcare access. The region spent 17 years under special administration until April due to budget deficits, corruption, and Mafia infiltration, which impacted health investments. Many Italian medical graduates opt for careers in northern Italy.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Cuba dispatched doctors to various parts of Italy, and Calabria continued to employ them after the pandemic concluded. Francesco Moschella, the chief physician at Polistena hospital, described the situation before the Cuban doctors arrived in January 2023 as a "disaster," noting that he was solely responsible for keeping the emergency room open.
Cuban doctors working in Calabria report that they still send a significant portion of their salaries to the Cuban government, viewing it as a voluntary contribution for their training and education. Zoila Yakelin Arevalo Cruz, an emergency medicine specialist, stated that she and her colleagues do not consider themselves "modern-day slaves" and are happy to contribute to their country. Cuban cardiologist Daisy Luperon Loforte echoed this sentiment.
U.S. officials, including the charge d’affaires to Cuba, Mike Hammer, met with Occhiuto in February to discuss the program. While the talks were described as cordial, Hammer conveyed the U.S. preference for alternative staffing sources. Occhiuto mentioned that he has informed U.S. officials that he needs to keep hospitals open and intends to retain the Cuban doctors. He expressed a desire to potentially increase the Cuban medical staff but has refrained from doing so to avoid further conflict with Washington.
Calabria's government has taken steps to circumvent direct payment to the Cuban government agency that manages medical missions. Instead, they have signed individual contracts with the doctors and make deposits into their Italian bank accounts. Despite this, Cuban doctors confirmed they continue to send funds to the Cuban government. Governor Occhiuto also confirmed that 63 Cuban doctors have recently applied to work within Calabria's healthcare system independently of the program.
Meanwhile, other nations have ended their medical cooperation with Cuba. Jamaica ended its 50-year agreement in March, affecting nearly 300 healthcare workers, and Honduras expelled more than 150. However, Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum has defended the program, highlighting its role in providing care to underserved populations.