Havana, Cuba, May 22nd, 2025 – Prime Minister and Minister of Health et al, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew and Cuba’s Acting Minister of Public Health, Tania Margarita Cruz Hernandez, signed a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) today, May 22, deepening healthcare cooperation between both nations and marking a new chapter in bilateral relations.
The memorandum outlines plans for enhanced collaboration in public health leadership, medical training, and healthcare administration, with a particular focus on developing robust primary healthcare systems.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Drew used the opportunity to express his profound gratitude for Cuba’s unwavering support, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Without the Cuban healthcare professionals, it would have been extremely challenging to get through the pandemic.”
Prime Minister Drew also shared a compelling example of Cuban expertise’s impact on the Federation: “In the early 2000s, a Cuban gynecologist, Dr. Carreras, brought our infant mortality rate and maternal mortality rate to the lowest we had ever experienced within just two years by implementing Cuban systems at the clinic level. This demonstrates that it’s not just about having medical professionals, it’s about having the right system.”
Notably, twenty-two St. Kitts and Nevis students are currently pursuing medical studies in Cuba, with 13 in undergraduate programs and nine in postgraduate studies. The agreement also seeks to expand these educational opportunities while strengthening healthcare delivery systems in the Federation.
Addressing recent concerns, Prime Minister Drew expressed, “This cooperation is vital to our healthcare systems. Without this cooperation, healthcare systems in the Caribbean would be at risk of breaking. And we will continue to ensure that human trafficking is not a part of our medical humanitarian corporation and our corporation is in accordance with the principles of international law”
This MOI will undeniably open doors for a more comprehensive and intentional approach to advancement, collaboration, and diplomatic friendship, Prime Minister Drew stressed.
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