U.S. Ambassador proposes medical training in the US for Belizeans

U.S. Ambassador to Belize André Bauer says he will speak with his superiors in Washington about the possibility of a medical training programme for Belize. Bauer made the comment today after reporters asked him about the United States’ position on the Cuban Medical Brigade serving in the country.  The United States has criticised Cuba’s overseas medical missions, alleging that the arrangements can exploit medical workers. Belize, meanwhile, relies on Cuban doctors and other professionals to help fill gaps in its health system. Health Minister Kevin Bernard said this week that Belize has proposed offering individual contracts to the Cuban personnel already here, but that the proposal requires a response from Cuba.  According to Ambassador Bauer, it is an idea he is yet to take to the US State Department.

André Bauer, US Ambassador to Belize: “I haven’t been in talks with where they’re at on them. At the end of the day, I want to make sure Belizeans have good health care. And if I can do things to help facilitate sending Belizeans to American hospitals and educating them, I actually have a suggestion I want to talk to the State Department about about trying to create more opportunities for people here that want to be nurses and doctors and people that are in the United States that want to come here and be a part of Belize do some of their their medical here is what I want to try to facilitate. So I’d like to do more that we can to make sure Belizeans can be the doctors and the nurses and we don’t have to worry about folks from other countries taking care of Belizeans.”

Minister Bernard has said the Government wants the Cuban professionals to remain while it works through the proposed arrangement with Havana. He also noted that Belize is also exploring other ways to recruit medical staff as it addresses shortages in the public health system.