Since 2013, at the request of the government of President Dilma Rousseff and with the participation of the Pan American Health Organization, Cuba joined the Mais Médicos (More Doctors) program. To date, the initiative launched by the Brazilian government has seen 11,400 Cuban doctors offer their services in 3,356 of the country's municipalities; representing 83% of the 4,058 healthcare professionals participating on the program.
Brazil has a total of 5,570 municipalities, with Cuban doctors offering services across two thirds of the country, benefiting some 40 million Brazilians, particularly low-income families. This has had a positive impact on the country's health indicators.
In regards to the expiration of the current agreement and in the midst of recent events in Brazil, a special envoy of the Cuban government spoke with then President Dilma Rousseff on May 30 and with former president Luiz Inácio Lula Da Silva, a day later.
Dilma noted that the Mais Médicos program should continue as it is an asset of the Brazilian people. She stated that the work of the country's doctors has made Cuba an example, and that they (the government of Dilma Rousseff) would be forever grateful for the generous gesture made by our people and government of sending doctors to treat the Brazilian people.
Lula, for his part, stated that the Mais Médicos program is an achievement already entrenched in Brazilian culture and that it can not be lost, which is why continuing the work of Cuban doctors would be an example not only for the people of Brazil, but also the world.
The Cuban Ministry of Public Health, committed to the solidary and humanist principles which have always guided our country's medical collaboration, will continue participating in the agreement with the Pan American Health Organization to implement the Mais Médicos program, while the guarantees offered by the country's current authorities continue to be upheld.
MINISTRY OF PUBLIC HEALTH
Havana, September 27, 2016
