Human rights group Stand Up For Jamaica is urging the Government of Jamaica to provide greater transparency regarding the discontinuation of a long-standing medical cooperation programme with Cuba.
The organisation said the decision follows the withdrawal of Cuban medical personnel who had supported Jamaica’s healthcare system for nearly 50 years.
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Longstanding Healthcare Partnership
For decades, Cuban doctors, nurses and medical technicians worked alongside local healthcare professionals across Jamaica, providing critical support in hospitals and clinics throughout the island.
Stand Up For Jamaica noted that the programme had played a significant role in strengthening the country’s healthcare services and addressing shortages of medical professionals.
Concerns Over Programme Compliance
The Jamaican government had previously raised concerns regarding the programme’s compliance with national labour laws and international conventions.
These concerns reportedly include issues related to salary payment arrangements and the custody of travel documents belonging to Cuban medical personnel.
The human rights organisation acknowledged that such matters require careful consideration and must be addressed in a manner that protects workers’ rights while ensuring Jamaica remains compliant with its legal obligations.
However, the group questioned why these issues have emerged after decades of cooperation.
It described it as “bizarre” that practices which existed for nearly half a century would suddenly become obstacles to continuing what it characterised as a mutually beneficial partnership.
Geopolitical Pressures
Stand Up For Jamaica also pointed to the broader geopolitical context surrounding international medical cooperation programmes involving Cuba.
The organisation suggested that tensions between the United States and Cuba have influenced discussions about similar medical initiatives in several countries across the region.
Despite these pressures, the group emphasized that Jamaica should remain focused on its national healthcare priorities.
Regional Responses and Public Transparency
According to the organisation, some Caribbean states have implemented measures to address concerns raised by the United States, including ensuring freedom of movement for Cuban medical personnel and modifying payment structures.
Stand Up For Jamaica has therefore called on the Jamaican government to clarify the specific reasons behind the programme’s termination and to outline the implications for the country’s healthcare system.
The group also urged policymakers to consider the ongoing humanitarian challenges facing Cuba while evaluating Jamaica’s national needs.
In the meantime, the organisation has appealed for the Jamaican public to be fully informed about the consequences of ending the decades-long medical partnership.
