Jamaica commits to continuing Cuban medical cooperation programme

 

The Government of Jamaica has affirmed its intention to continue Jamaica's longstanding Cuban medical cooperation programme, adding that a review has not found any evidence that it involves human trafficking.

 

The United States has raised questions about the programme that CARICOM countries have insisted has benefited the region significantly.

 

In light of public sentiments on the government's perceived silence on the issue, Minister of Foreign Affairs & Foreign Trade Kamina Johnson Smith has sought to provide assurances regarding the handling of the concerns raised by the US, saying the administration's "non adversarial handling of this matter reflects not only our practice of diplomacy but the strength of our bilateral relationships with both Cuba and the United States of America." 

 

In a statement issued on Thursday, Senator Johnson Smith said a review of the programme had been initiated well before international scrutiny had started and improvements will be made to how it is administered, and that the review "has been going well, and we remain confident in the integrity of this programe."

 

Jamaica's medical cooperation programme with Cuba has been in place since 1976 and has operated under a series of Memoranda of Understanding upheld by successive administrations.