Mais Médicos Program: 710 Positions for Cubans to be Assumed by Brazilian Doctors due to Impasse

04/18/2017 - 12h25

In the midst of an impasse with the Cuban government due to the increase in the number of judicial proceedings in the Mais Médicos (More Doctors) program, the Brazilian Health Ministry announced that 710 positions that would have been taken by Cuban professionals will instead be assumed by Brazilian physicians. The program aims to address the lack of doctors in municipalities and on the peripheries of large cities.

The measure taken on Monday (the 17th) occurred after the Cuban government suspended sending a group of physicians who were to have arrived in Brazil this month to take part in the program.

According to Minister Ricardo Barros, around 8,500 Brazilian Doctors with Brazilian degrees and 2.200 with foreign degrees that registered in the last round of the program should be called up to assume the positions.

The suspension was determined by Cuba last week due to the number of judicial procedures by Cuban doctors seeking to be granted permanent residence in Brazil and in the More Doctors program beyond three years set forth in their contracts - there are already at least 88 cases.

Translated by LLOYD HARDER

Read the article in the original language