THE Cuban Ambassador to Guyana Jorge Francisco Soberón Luis says Cuba’s medical mission made a “very profound impact” on Guyana’s healthcare system over nearly five decades, while stressing that Havana remains willing to continue medical cooperation with the country.
During an interview on Sources on Cuba’s medical mission across the Caribbean, Ambassador Soberón Luis reflected on the long-standing presence of Cuban healthcare professionals in Guyana, and expressed gratitude for what he described as overwhelming public support for the programme.
“First of all, I would like to thank the People of Guyana for all the expressions of gratitude and support towards the Cuban medical mission. It’s been overwhelming,” the ambassador said, adding:
“I’ve received so many messages and expressions of sympathy towards our medical mission.”
According to the envoy, Cuban medical personnel served in Guyana for almost half a century, contributing significantly to the country’s healthcare system, and improving the well-being of citizens.
“Our medical mission worked here in Guyana for almost half a century; 49 years or so, and we believe they had a very profound impact when it comes to supporting the healthcare system of Guyana, and also making a meaningful contribution to the well-being of the people of Guyana,” he stated.
Highlighting what he described as the scale of the mission’s contribution, Soberón Luis cited statistics from Cuba’s Ministry of Health to demonstrate the breadth of medical assistance provided over the years.
He said Cuban healthcare workers treated more than 10 million patients during their 49 years in Guyana, and performed over 280,000 surgeries across that period.
Additionally, the ambassador revealed that more than 60,000 children were born with the presence of Cuban medical personnel, while emergency medical interventions helped save hundreds of lives in life-threatening situations.
“Hundreds of lives were saved during this period, because of emergency services rendered in life-threatening situations,” he said.
The Cuban diplomat also pointed to the impact of the mission in specialised healthcare services, particularly eye care.
“According to statistics from our Ministry of Health, more than 25,000 surgeries were performed in this area,” he disclosed while discussing ophthalmological services delivered by Cuban professionals. “So, it means that the magnitude, the impact of our medical mission here in Guyana was very big,” Soberón Luis added.
The ambassador said Cuba had maintained standing medical agreements with Guyana for many years, noting that the most recent agreement had been signed in 2023.
However, the ambassador’s comments come against the backdrop of statements made by Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, who said the Government of Guyana did not terminate the Cuban Medical Brigade, but that Cuban authorities opted to withdraw their medical workers earlier this year.
According to the minister, the withdrawal took place in February following engagements between the two governments.
Despite the mission coming to an end, the ambassador made it clear that Cuba remains open to future collaboration with Guyana in healthcare and medical services.
“It’s been our policy. It continues to be our policy that we offer medical cooperation to any country that is interested in partnering with Cuba for receiving medical services. That has not changed,” he stated.
The Cuban envoy underscored that Havana’s willingness to cooperate extends to Guyana and other countries seeking assistance.
“We continue to be willing to discuss cooperation in the area of medical services with Guyana and with other countries. That has not changed,” Soberón Luis affirmed.
He stressed that Cuba had been prepared to continue discussions on medical cooperation and maintained that the country remains committed to partnerships aimed at supporting healthcare systems.
“All I will say is that we were willing then, and we are willing now, to continue medical cooperation with Guyana,” the ambassador said.
Despite the withdrawal of the Cuban Medical Brigade, Guyana has maintained that Cuban healthcare professionals remain welcome to work in the country individually, once they satisfy local regulatory requirements. Dr. Anthony has said Cuban doctors, nurses and technicians can seek employment in Guyana provided they are properly qualified and certified by the relevant local authorities, including the Medical Council and Nursing Council.
He also noted that several Cuban medical personnel have already pursued this route and are currently serving within Guyana’s public healthcare system.
The United States has raised concerns that Cuba’s overseas medical missions may involve labour exploitation, and has pressured Caribbean States to end or revise such partnerships, warning of possible visa restrictions for officials linked to the programme.