Parliamentary interpellations and police investigation requests are some of the consequences of the ‘Cubanet’ report on the island’s medical brigade in Calabria, Italy.
Dublin, Ireland. – After the publication in June of the investigation of Cubanet “From Havana to Calabria: the perfect scam to Cuban doctors” A domino effect of media and political repercussions with legal implications in Italy has been triggered.
The report revealed how Cuban doctors sent to Calabresses hospitals retain only 23% of what the receiving country establishes as salary, while the rest is transferred to the Marketing of Cuban Medical Services (CSMC), a mediating company, under conditions that international organizations and experts qualify as forced work.
The findings, framed in a corruption scandal that He led to the resignation at the end of July of the regional president of Calabria, Roberto Ochiutothey detonated the media coverage beyond the Atlantic, they gave way to the uncover of the escape of doctors to the private sector and generated parliamentary interpellations, putting the health cooperation with Cuba under scrutiny.
June 30 – ODV Democrazia and Libertà (Organization of Free Cubans in Italy) alert about working conditions.
July 2-5 – Lac News 24 and regional media question salary withholdings and opaque contracts.
July 6-8 – Rai News, Diario de Cuba and America Tevé extended coverage at national and international level.
July 21-23 – Media report at least five members of the Cuban medical mission in Calabria.
July 24-29 – Panam Post, Il Sole 24 Ore and Msn, Among others they take the debate to several languages.
July 31-August 5 – Il Sussidiario and Redazione Minerva They discuss the European impact. In total, more than 30 media replicate the findings of Cubanet.
Political impact
July 3 – Domenico Tallini, former leader of the Regional Council of Calabria, questions the legality of the agreement with Cuba.
July 6-8 – Deputy Anna Laura Orrico presents parliamentary interpellation before Ministries of Labor and Health.
July 21 – It transcends the escape of several Cuban doctors and the regional opposition demands answers.
July 23 – Ernesto Alecci, of the Democratic Party, Demand answers Before the mass escape of doctors; It presents new interpellations and demands of transparency to the regional government.
July 28-29 – Ochiuto minimizes complaints, but the pressure grows.
July 31 – Ochiuto announces his resignation in the midst of corruption investigations.
Legal implications
July 4 – Calabria responds to Cubanet On contractual status of Cuban doctors confirming findings in “from Havana to Calabria …”.
July 6-8 – Interpellation promotes ministerial monitoring of working conditions in the Cuban medical mission.
July 21-23 – File of Cuban doctors of the public health system opens possible research for labor and fiscal breaches.
July 28-29 – ASP of Vibo Valentia asks to start Police investigation.
July 31 – Ochiuto’s resignation intensifies judicial pressure.
Although the outcome is uncertain, the case could mark a precedent for Cuban medical agreements in Europe, depending on whether a deep review or discreet closure prevails.
