Brazil replaces doctors leaving Cuba – Ministry of Health

The Brazilian Ministry of Health said it filled almost all the vacant posts left by thousands of Cuban doctors returned to their country.

Cuba withdrew the doctors from Brazil after what he called "scornful" remarks from President-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

The far right leader had questioned the qualifications of the doctors.

He accused the Cuban communist government of keeping 75% of their salary and not allowing their families to join them.

The first group of Cuban doctors to leave was greeted Friday in Havana by the Deputy Minister of Health.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement that it had managed to fill 92% of vacancies with Brazilian doctors.

According to the statement, more than 17,500 doctors have already been enrolled and nearly 8,000 have been assigned to specific areas.

However, a large proportion of Cuban doctors worked in poor rural areas of Brazil, where it was more difficult to recruit Brazilian doctors, and it is unclear how many new recruits will be ready to leave in these areas.

Why so many Cuban doctors in Brazil?

Health care is Cuba's most lucrative export. The "More Doctors" aid program operates in 67 countries and brings the island $ 11 billion a year.

About 8,000 Cuban doctors worked in the most remote areas of Brazil under this program.

Cuba announced that they would all be summoned to their homes by the end of December. However, a Brazilian diplomatic source told AFP that 2,000 would probably remain stranded because of personal ties.

Brazilian mayors have warned that nearly 30 million people are facing a crisis of care, especially in areas where local doctors refuse to go.

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