Belize is working on a plan to keep Cuban doctors in the country after the expiration of a long‑standing agreement with Cuba.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Francis Fonseca confirmed that Cabinet has tasked his ministry and the Ministry of Health and Wellness with exploring new arrangements. “Our objective is to maintain the Cuban doctors in Belize,” Fonseca said. “We have about 92 medical professionals under the programme; 45 of them are medical doctors. They play a very critical role in our health system, especially in rural communities.”
Fonseca explained that discussions are ongoing with the Cuban government to determine what options might be acceptable. “Our objective is hopefully that we can keep their presence here in Belize,” he said.
The minister acknowledged that the original agreement has expired, meaning a new legal arrangement will be needed if the doctors are to remain.
At the same time, Belize continues to face a shortage of nurses. Fonseca said the Ministry of Health is considering additional recruitment from abroad. “So we have been looking at options… including nurses from the Philippines and also nurses from Nicaragua,” he said.
While the government has not yet made a final decision on the future of Cuban doctors in Belize, other countries in the region, including Jamaica, Guatemala, Guyana, and Honduras, have ended their engagements and have been phasing out stationed doctors.
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