cross-posted from: https://expressional.social/users/Peter_Link/statuses/116189487047592419

Calabria, Italy refuses to fire Cuban doctors
[from Facebook, 3/7/26]

#US Chargé d’Affaires to #Cuba Mike Hammer was last week in #Italy, where he met with Roberto Occhiuto, the governor of the #Calabria region. He pushed Occhiuto to end Calabria’s employment of around 500 Cuban #doctors. Occhiuto refused.

After the meeting he issued a statement saying: “Cuban doctors who are allowing us to keep #hospitals and emergency rooms open are still a necessity for our region.”

In an apparent concession, Occhiuto added that he had intended to increase that number to as many as 1,000 in 2026, but is now considering advertising for applicants from elsewhere.

Cuban doctors and nurses are paid many times more abroad than what they earn in Cuba. BotB has verified that Cuban doctors in Italy are paid 3,000€ a month. They must send 1,800€ of that to the Cuban state (much of which supports the public #healthcare system), and keep 1,200€.

#CubanMedicalSolidarity
#news #politics #USpol
@cuba