In the midst of the growing Washington pressure against Cuban medical brigadesthe island’s government seeks Expand the export of medical services and get like this Greater income in foreign exchange For this concept.
The above transcended during a meeting of the National Council of Innovation, in which a Strategy to strengthen and develop new exportable medical services, According to review The newspaper Granma.
Dr. Yamila de Armas Águila, president of the Cuban Medical Services Marketing, presented what the official medium qualifies as a “strategic government project” and whose basis – he explains – is a policy approved in 2013 by the political bureau of the Communist Party (PCC).
The general objective of the strategy, according to Granmais “to reach higher levels of foreign exchange income, through the development of new and improved exportable servicesbased on a management based on science and innovation. ”
The directive highlighted as potential to meet this objective existence of internationally accredited scientific and health institutions“The provision, on average, of 200 specialized scientific-technical services” and, as “Main strength” human capital.
On the latter, the report highlights the “thousands of doctors and masters in science and tens of thousands of first and second degree specialists”, as well as more than 6 thousand researchers.
During the presentation of the strategy, in which President Miguel Díaz-Canel participated, it was considered “vital” to consolidate the alliances between Cuban organizations and entities for “the effective chain that is required” to increase exports of these services and Cuban medical technologies.
Díaz-Canel defends the medical brigades before the “maximum pressure” of the US
Outside and also in Cuba
The government strategy points not only for Medical services that are exported abroadbut also those who Foreign clients are provided on the island itselfand that also swell the lean section of Cuban exports.
In the case of the former, de Armas Águila explained that they currently exist Business in about twenty countries and “work on new opportunities” as part of a process of consolidation and expansion of these businesses until 2030.
Regarding the services provided in Cuba, the directive mentioned academics – such as courses, diplomas and specialties -, which said “progress is made in the adjustment of the offer in relation to types of training and scenarios, new business models and specific market studies, including countries of the countries of the BRICS GROUP”
In addition, he highlighted attention to foreign patients on the island, through health tourism and well -being. In this sense, the strategy presented has the purpose of “consolidating the programs that include products of Cuban biotechnology and incorporating the new ones such as cancer immunotherapy, complex wounds and others,” he says Granma.
Likewise, the project presented “to provide highly demanded treatments such as ophthalmological, orthopedic and minimally invasive generals, as well as other services.”
It also contemplates the start -up of a Cuban platform of Telesalud, the Personalized medicine development and robotic surgery, as well as “the export of services associated with International clinical trials“, According to the directive.
Cuba and medical brigades
For decades Cuba has sent medical brigades to More than a hundred countriesalthough officially part of these professionals have done it through collaboration agreements – the so -called “medical missions” – and not as export of services.
At the same time, he has signed contracts with entities and governments that are framed in this modality and also provides specialized services in the country for international clients.
The sale of professional services – and, in particular, those related to medicine – is One of the main sources of currency for Cubain the midst of the severe crisis that the country is going through in recent years.
De Armas Águila said at the meeting that the service exports plan in 2025, ”is being fulfilled, as was the case with the provisions of the 2019-2024 period,” although the report of Granma It does not provide figures in this regard.
Although for several years the governments of the United States have been questioning these programs and considered them “labor exploitation”, the Trump administration has increased pressure on countries with medical brigades of the island and has expanded visa restrictions on officials related to them.
However, authorities from several countries, such as those of the Caribbean community, have defended the hiring of Cuban doctors – even before the framework of Secretary Framework Rubio – while The island’s government has accused Washington of promoting a “slander” campaign and has highlighted the “altruistic” and “solidarity” character of its health professionals.
