Health

Health Minister: Six Cuban Healthcare Workers Remain After Cancelled Deal

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A strained healthcare system has forced our nation to rely on foreign healthcare workers, for years as Cuba has helped by supplying doctors.

Published

6 months ago

August 27, 2025

Joshua Williams

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – A strained healthcare system has forced our nation to rely on foreign healthcare workers, for years as Cuba has helped by supplying drivers.

But government decided to cut ties with Cuba’s medical recruitment agencies and move to hire cuban healthcare professionals directly.

The announcement made by Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville during the budget debate in June.

The announcement came following mounting pressure from the United States after u.s. Secretary of State Marco Rubio accused officials involved in Cuba’s labor export program of being involved in human trafficking and labor exploitation, accusations denied by Cuba and many Caribbean leaders including Prime Minister Philip Davis.

But where are we now?

“That is now at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” Health Minister Dr. Michael Darville. “I would our counterparts to the night, and once we get clarity on that, we will begin the entire process across the country.”

As of June there were 35 Cuban healthcare workers in country.

Those who agreed to the new terms Darville said – would be welcomed to stay – the rest would have to return to Cuba.