Cubans minority among More Doctors leavers

Brazil’s Health Minister Arthur Chioro said Wednesday (Jun 6) that, out of all 11 thousand Cuban doctors taking part in the More Doctors Program, only 14 have decided to quit (quit rate at 0.1 percent). As for the 1,500 Brazilian physicians who joined the initiative, 131 opted out (quit rate at 8.4 percent)

During a public hearing at the Chamber of Deputies, Chioro argued that most Brazilians who left the More Doctors did so after being offered positions in residence programs. He reiterated that the number of quitters is low and that the program met last March its goal of having 14 thousand doctors working in the country.

The More Doctors Program was launched by the Brazilian government in an attempt to improve the public health care system by sending a larger number of health professionals to underserved regions.

The minister also pointed out that the partnership with the Cuban government is established by means of a cooperation agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). “Our connection takes place exclusively through PAHO, not with the Cuban government. The doctors from Cuba maintain their link with Cuba’s government,” he explained.

Translated by Fabrício Ferreira