The Briceño administration is refuting claims that Cuban doctors are being forced to leave Belize. The concern surfaced on Wednesday when Wil Maheia alleged that boxes containing the doctors’ personal belongings were being shipped back to Cuba. But Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard rejected that account this morning. He insists the government is not pushing Cuban medical professionals out of the country and says Maheia’s report is simply untrue. Bernard sought to set the record straight as uncertainty continues to surround the future of the Cuban medical brigade in Belize.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“And it was so unfortunate to see somebody taking something out of context. The Cuban people who are here in Belize they take vacation every year at different times of the year. Not everybody could go on vacation at the same time of the year and it is a norm that when they go back, they take items for their families. So, for Mr. Maheia, and I will call his name, because that was very irresponsible of him to go on social media to try and paint a picture as if it is fact, when that is far from true. These people are in our system working all the time. And as I have said yesterday in response to the two media houses who reached out to me, there are ongoing diplomatic talks as it relates to the Cuban brigade. These people continue to be employed and continue to work across our health system here in Belize and we are hoping that at the end of the day, when these diplomatic talks are over, we can find an amicable solution as it relates to the Cuban brigade. But I will continue to say that we appreciate the support the Cuban people have been giving to Belize. And there is no truth to us sending Cubans home one by one, as is insinuated in that post. That is will say about that.”
Cuban Medical Brigade’s Future in Belize is Still Uncertain
The future of Belize’s Cuban medical brigade remains uncertain, but the government says an answer could come within weeks. Health Minister Kevin Bernard says diplomatic discussions are continuing as officials work toward a final decision on whether the Cuban healthcare professionals will remain in the country. In the meantime, Bernard says the ministry is also strengthening Belize’s own medical workforce by providing local doctors with additional training and resources. The goal, he says, is to ensure Belizeans continue receiving essential healthcare services, regardless of the outcome of those diplomatic talks.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“I believe that, as I said, the discussions are ongoing and I believe that Cabinet will be briefed in terms of what possible solution we will have and I am hoping that by this September, both for the benefit of the Cuban brigade, they want assurances as well, and so we need to ensure that we can solve this matter amicably and for the benefit of Belizeans. There are people here in our health system providing a service.”
Reporter
“The other discussion you were having to find replacements, where are you with those?”
Kevin Bernard
“Remember, the government, what the government, what the ministry is doing now, apart from, let’s move aside from the Cuban brigade, we have been constantly doing things with the ministry. One, we have been sending out our doctors to be specialized. I know that right now we have about five doctors who will be coming back, two in nephrology, two in obstetrics and one pediatrician. We had recently Doctor Cawich who is a pediatrician oncologist who came back and she is now at KHMH, and others out training in radiology and so forth in Taiwan. They are coming back. That is a part of ensuring we are equipping out doctors. At the same time the government is also looking at alternative areas and countries we can tap into.”
Minister Bernard says talks are also underway to bring medical professionals from the Philippines to serve in Belize.
Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.
