Italy’s Calabria Region Embracing Cuban Medical Program Amid US Criticism

In a rare move, Italy’s southern Calabria region has chosen to defy US pressure and continue its long-running Cuban medical program. This program, which has been in place for decades, has seen over 200 Cuban doctors working in remote hospitals across the region, providing much-needed care to the local population.

The Cuban doctors, who are skilled in providing care with scarce resources, have been a game-changer for the region’s healthcare system. The chief physician of Polistena hospital, Francesco Moschella, recalled the days before the Cubans arrived in January 2023, when the hospital’s emergency room was on the brink of collapse due to a shortage of local healthcare workers.

‘It was a disaster. I was keeping the emergency room open all by myself,’ Moschella told The Associated Press, highlighting the dire need for the Cuban medical program.

However, the US has been critical of the Cuban program, labeling it as a ‘form of human trafficking’ and a ‘moneymaker’ for the socialist government. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has accused the Cuban missions of being a ‘form of human trafficking,’ while the State Department has claimed that the Cuban government keeps most of the doctors’ salaries and allegedly confiscates some passports.

Despite these criticisms, Calabria’s governor, Roberto Occhiuto, has refused to end the program, citing the region’s dependence on the Cuban doctors. Occhiuto has even gone as far as to praise the Cuban program in the newspaper of Cuba’s Communist Party, stating that he was ‘honored’ to have his photo featured in the publication.

The Cuban doctors themselves have spoken out in defense of the program, stating that they are not ‘modern-day slaves’ but rather, ‘happy’ to contribute to the Cuban government and provide care to those in need. Emergency medicine specialist Zoila Yakelin Arevalo Cruz, who works in Polistena town, told The Associated Press that she and her colleagues ‘love their country’ and are ‘happy to do so.’

While the US continues to pressure Calabria to end the Cuban program, the region’s governor remains committed to the initiative, even going so far as to propose tripling the number of Cuban medical staff to around 1,000. However, he has refrained from doing so to avoid running afoul of Washington.

The Calabria region’s decision to defy US pressure and continue the Cuban medical program has raised eyebrows, but it has also highlighted the importance of providing access to quality healthcare, particularly in underserved areas.

Cuban Doctors in Italy: A Lifeline for the Region’s Healthcare System

The Cuban doctors in Italy have been a lifeline for the region’s healthcare system, providing much-needed care to the local population. With their skills and expertise, they have helped to transform the region’s hospitals, making them more efficient and effective.

The doctors themselves have spoken out about the positive impact they have had on the region’s healthcare system. ‘We are all aware of the economic situation Cuba is going through. It’s a contribution that we make voluntarily because Cuba trained us, educated us, and made us doctors,’ said Arevalo Cruz.

The Cuban program has also had a positive impact on the local economy, with the doctors contributing to the region’s GDP through their salaries and expenses. Furthermore, the program has helped to promote cultural exchange between Cuba and Italy, with the doctors learning Italian and adopting local customs.

US Pressure Fails to Deter Calabria from Continuing Cuban Medical Program

The US pressure on Calabria to end the Cuban medical program has failed to deter the region from continuing the initiative. Despite the criticisms and allegations of ‘human trafficking,’ the governor remains committed to the program, citing the region’s dependence on the Cuban doctors.

The US has accused the Cuban government of keeping most of the doctors’ salaries and allegedly confiscating some passports. However, the Cuban doctors themselves have spoken out against these allegations, stating that they are not ‘modern-day slaves’ but rather, ‘happy’ to contribute to the Cuban government and provide care to those in need.

The Cuban program has been a lifeline for the region’s healthcare system, providing much-needed care to the local population. With their skills and expertise, the doctors have helped to transform the region’s hospitals, making them more efficient and effective.

Cuban Doctors in Italy: A Symbol of Solidarity and Cooperation

The Cuban doctors in Italy have become a symbol of solidarity and cooperation between Cuba and Italy. The program has helped to promote cultural exchange between the two countries, with the doctors learning Italian and adopting local customs.

The doctors have also become an integral part of the local community, with many patients expressing their gratitude for the care they have received. ‘They’re smart, they have empathy, and they’re also humble – something you don’t often see with Italian doctors,’ said a resident, Maria Morano.