Grenada agrees to adjustment to Cuban health programme

The Grenada government has unveiled significant reforms to its Cuban Workers Programme, following high-level consultations with Cuban officials in Havana. The changes, announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, aim to enhance the administration and oversight of the programme, ensuring that Cuban professionals working in Grenada receive conditions equivalent to their Grenadian counterparts. The discussions were spearheaded by Foreign Affairs Minister Joseph Andall and Health Minister Philip Telesford. Grenada expressed gratitude to Cuba for its cooperation and acknowledged the United States’ role in raising concerns about the programme. The Cuban Workers Programme has been instrumental in bolstering healthcare services in Grenada, and the government remains committed to strengthening national health capacity through training and scholarships. The reforms come amidst US allegations that the Cuban regime exploits medical professionals by ‘renting’ them to other countries, a claim vehemently denied by Caribbean nations. The US has imposed visa restrictions on officials, including Grenada’s Finance Minister Dennis Cornwall, while urging governments to pay doctors directly rather than the Cuban regime. Both Grenada and the US have reaffirmed their commitment to addressing concerns through diplomatic channels.