Nearly 100 Cuban medical professionals employed in Guyana on same pay scale as locals

By: Dinley Raphael

Close to 100 Cuban medical professionals are employed across Guyana’s healthcare system, and according to Minister of Health Dr. Frank Anthony, they are being paid the same salaries as their Guyanese counterparts.

Although Cuba has withdrawn its medical brigade from Guyana, the local health sector continues to benefit from Cuban healthcare workers who have independently expressed an interest in working here.

Minister Anthony said these professionals are employed under the same salary structure used for local healthcare workers, with no special pay advantage.

Speaking during an interview with this newscast, the Health Minister made it clear that Cuban medical personnel are not receiving preferential treatment.

“Depending on the level of their skill, if they are at the level of a consultant, they will be paid a consultant's salary. If they are at the level of a registrar, they will be paid a registrar's salary,” the Health Minister explained.

He added that “For the technicians, depending on their skill level, they will be paid accordingly. And so that is what we have right now with the Cuban doctors,” Dr. Anthony said.

He explained that Cuban medical professionals continue to play an important role in Guyana’s healthcare system, particularly in hinterland and remote areas where it can sometimes be difficult to place local doctors.

“We sometimes have challenges with local doctors who sometimes don't want to go into the interior. But with these doctors, once we place them, they'll go and work in those areas,” he said.

Dr. Anthony also said relations between Guyana and Cuba remain cordial, noting that Guyanese students currently studying medicine in Cuba have not faced any problems.

“As far as we know, yes, because we do have a number of persons in training in Cuba, and they continue to be in training,” he said.

The Minister added that Guyana will continue to work with other countries as it seeks to further strengthen and equip its healthcare system.