Belize Ends 36-Year Cuban Medical Brigade Agreement, Offers Individual Contracts

The Government of Belize announced on October 31 that Belize and Cuba will not renew their longstanding Cuban Medical Brigade agreement, ending the 36-year arrangement. Instead, the Ministry of Health and Wellness will offer individual employment contracts to Cuban doctors and other health professionals currently serving in the country.
The change means the medical personnel will no longer work under the collective brigade arrangement. Those who accept the offers will sign direct contracts with Belize, allowing them to remain in the country and continue providing medical services. The government said the transition is intended to maintain healthcare services while ending the brigade program.
The Cuban Medical Brigade has been part of Belize’s public health system since 1990, helping staff hospitals and clinics and addressing shortages in medical services across the country. The government had been discussing the arrangement before deciding to replace it with individual contracts.
Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard addressed the decision in a media interview on November 3. He said Cabinet had agreed to end the brigade program while pursuing direct employment arrangements with its personnel to ensure continuity of care.
“However, in the interest of Belize and in an interest of ensuring that we have continued service, we opted to enter into direct contractual arrangements with the individual health professionals that are here in Belize,” Bernard said.
The minister said the ministry will approach each professional individually. He expressed optimism that all 92 Cuban health professionals currently serving in Belize under the former brigade arrangement would remain. However, he acknowledged that each person would decide whether to accept a contract.
Bernard also said Belize is continuing efforts to recruit and retain health workers while investing in the long-term training of Belizeans through scholarships and a $30 million workforce development plan. The number of Cuban professionals who accept the individual contracts will help determine how smoothly the transition proceeds.