The Health and Wellness Minister is disputing claims that Cuban doctors are being forced to leave Belize. This is after Wil Maheia alleged Wednesday that boxes containing the doctors’ personal belongings were being shipped back to Cuba.
Bernard called it an irresponsible mischaracterisation of a routine practice. “It was so unfortunate to see somebody taking something out of context. The Cuban people who are here in Belize take vacations 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.”
Bernard singled out Maheia directly, saying the claim had no basis in fact. “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 were fact, when that is far from true. These people are in our system working all the time. There is no truth to us sending Cubans home one by one, as is insinuated in that post.”
Bernard says the Cuban medical professionals remain employed and actively working across Belize’s health system while diplomatic talks over the brigade’s future continue. “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. We appreciate the support the Cuban people have been giving to Belize.”
Bernard says a resolution could come as early as next month. “I believe that the discussions are ongoing, and I believe that Cabinet will be briefed in terms of what possible solution we will have. I am hoping that by this September, both for the benefit of the Cuban brigade and for their own benefit, they want assurances as well, and so we need to ensure that we can solve this matter amicably and for the benefit of Belizeans.”
In the meantime, Bernard says the Ministry is working independently to strengthen Belize’s own medical workforce. He pointed to several Belizean doctors currently training abroad who are expected to return soon. “We have been sending out our doctors to be specialised. Right now we have about five doctors who will be coming back, two in nephrology, two in obstetrics, and one paediatrician.”
Bernard says talks are also underway to bring medical professionals from the Philippines to serve in Belize.
