KINGSTON, Jamaica—The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade says the Government of Jamaica has made the decision to discontinue the current arrangement regarding the deployment of medical professionals in the public health sector by the Government of Cuba.

The ministry, in a media release on Thursday, said this decision comes as both Governments were unable to agree on the terms and conditions of a new technical cooperation arrangement, following the expiration of the previous agreement in February 2023.

“In the interest of continuity of the valuable service provided by the Cuban medical professionals present in the country, and for their personal certainty and well-being, the Government of Jamaica has indicated its willingness for the Ministry of Health and Wellness to engage these medical professionals on an individual basis, in keeping with local labour laws. This arrangement would last for the remainder of their scheduled tenure in Jamaica under the programme,” the ministry said.

The ministry added that Cuban medical professionals have been serving in various public health facilities across the island, and Jamaicans have benefited notably from the eye care programme as well as the general care by nurses and doctors.