Brazil May Receive 6,000 Cuban Doctors

05/07/2013 - 09h16

Brazil is discussing whether it should allow 6,000 Cuban doctors to work in regions in need of such professionals, says Foreign Relations Minister Antonio Patriota.

"We're organizing to receive a higher number of doctors, as there is a deficit of medical professionals in Brazil. It is a joint action with great potential and to which we attribute a strategic value," said Patriota yesterday.

That was one of the issues on the agenda of Patriota and Cuban Foreign Relations Minster Bruno Rodríguez.

Ueslei Marcelino/Reuters

Brazil's Foreign Minister Antonio Patriota and Cuba's Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez in September, 2011.

The most recent data of the CFM (Federal Council of Medicine) shows that Brazil has a total of 388,015 active doctors. The Cuban physicians would represent 1.54% of the total active professionals.

In recent months, Brazil's Health Ministry has said the country is in need of doctors: while in Brazil there is a ratio of 1.8 doctors for every 1,000 people, in neighboring countries such as Argentina (3.2) and Venezuela (1.9) that level is higher. In Cuba, on average there are six doctors for every 1,000 people.

The government believes the country needs 160,000 doctors, which will only be achieved in 2035 if the current pace of graduating doctors is maintained. The CFM, however, says the problem is how the doctors are distributed in the states.

Yesterday, the CFM said the initiative under study is "irresponsible" and that it may take legal action. Minister Antonio Patriota said the intention is for Cuban doctors to act in regions "particularly needy in Brazil."

Aside from Cuban doctors, Portuguese and Spanish professionals are also priorities in the area.

Translated by THOMAS MUELLO

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