Prime Minister of St. Vincent and the Grenadines Ralph Gonsalves. Photo: St Vincent Times

Speaking at a recent People’s National Party (PNP) forum in Portland, Jamaica, Gonsalves defended the vital role these medical professionals play in the local healthcare system, particularly their contribution to essential services like hemodialysis at the Medical and Diagnostic Centre.

Gonsalves’ declaration comes in response to recent announcements by the U.S. government. The U.S. now aims to restrict visas for foreign government officials, particularly targeting those who support or benefit from Cuba’s extensive medical program. This includes current and former Cuban government officials and individuals involved in the Cuban labor export initiative featuring medical missions. The policy expansion signals potential repercussions not just for officials but also for their immediate family members.

The presence of Cuban doctors in St. Vincent has been critical to providing necessary medical care, especially considering the limited local resources. The Prime Minister underscored this during his speech, emphasizing that the loss of these professional services could have dire consequences for the population. The hemodialysis treatment currently provided for 60 patients at the Medical and Diagnostic Centre could be jeopardized without the support from the Cuban health brigade.

“If it is determined that you have to take away my visa and Eloise’s visa. I want to say this publicly. I’m not looking for a fight with anybody, but we have to be honest and open about the hemodialysis, which we do in Saint Vincent at the modern Medical and Diagnostic Centre with these 60 persons. We told the Cubans there; I will not be able to offer that service. So, does anybody expect that because I want to keep a visa, I will let 60 persons from the poor and working people die? It will never happen.”

He indicated a readiness to challenge perceived injustices from foreign powers while defending what he sees as a humanitarian initiative beneficial to the SVG people.

“The Secretary of State of the United States of America has issued a statement that countries that are complicit, in his words, with trafficking in persons and exploiting Cuban professionals, the doctors and engineers who come, those who are complicit will lose their passport. They lose their visas and their families. Now, I know we are not involving any exploitation of Cuban workers, and I know that the Cubans are not involved either, the Cuban government. I know the arrangements, and I believe that the Secretary of State is a good and decent man. And if he knows the facts, I’m sure that he will understand that we are not involved in that”, Gonsalves said.