Health

Healthcare System Burdened By Loss of Cuban Workers

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – The loss of Cuban healthcare professionals is placing an added strain in the public healthcare system, according to Public Hospitals Authority Managing Director Dr. Aubynette Rolle.

Published

3 months ago

September 19, 2025

Berthony McDermott

Details of an agreement allowing Cuban healthcare workers to work in The Bahamas were brought into question after the United States threatened visa sanctions on any country participating in forced labour programs.

Rolle also tells us that it’s also hitting PHA in its pockets.

“The impact is being felt by many, not only by the patients, but it’s also being felt by their coworkers, because we now have to ensure that persons are on the shift. We have to increase the overtime, so there’s an increase in the financial burden, all of those elements,” Rolle said.

A leaked 2022 contract published by Cuba Archive indicated The Bahamas paid up to $12,000 per month per doctor, while the Cuban professionals received only $990 to $1200, with the rest going to a Cuba state-run agency.

Health and Wellness Minister Dr. Michael Darville revealed the plan to cut ties with the healthcare workers back in June, adding that the government would move to hire them directly.

However, as it stands, the arrangement has not been finalized just yet.

“As late as a few days ago, we submitted another document requested by the U.S. government concerning what we’re doing at the Ministry of Health, and we await the response to that document, the discussion is very fluid,” Darville said.

Darville stressed the government followed all labour laws.

In the meantime, the PHA Managing Director says they are recruiting from other countries where this issue may not be a concern.

“We’ve dealt with segments of Africa. We now have persons seeking from Canada, as well as those persons from the UK, even physicians. We are doing our best, but it has caused a burden,” Rolle said.