Prime Minister Drew Formalizes Health Cooperation Agreement with Cuba

The signing of a Memorandum of Intent (MOI) between St. Kitts and Nevis and Cuba on May 22, 2025, signifies a renewed commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation in healthcare. This agreement, spearheaded by Prime Minister and Minister of Health et al, Hon. Dr. Terrance Drew, and Cuba’s Acting Minister of Public Health, Tania Margarita Cruz Hernandez, lays the foundation for enhanced collaboration across various facets of healthcare, including public health leadership, medical training, and healthcare administration. The focus is squarely on bolstering primary healthcare systems in St. Kitts and Nevis, leveraging Cuban expertise and experience to build a more robust and resilient healthcare infrastructure.

The MOI formalizes the long-standing relationship between the two nations in the health sector, acknowledging Cuba’s consistent support for St. Kitts and Nevis, particularly during the challenging period of the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Drew expressed deep gratitude for Cuba’s assistance, emphasizing the critical role Cuban healthcare professionals played in navigating the pandemic and ensuring the health and safety of the people of St. Kitts and Nevis. He highlighted the invaluable contributions made by these professionals, emphasizing that their presence was essential in overcoming the unprecedented challenges presented by the global health crisis.

Beyond the immediate response to the pandemic, the collaboration between the two countries has a history of impactful interventions. Prime Minister Drew recalled the significant contribution of a Cuban gynecologist, Dr. Carreras, who, in the early 2000s, played a pivotal role in dramatically reducing infant and maternal mortality rates in St. Kitts and Nevis. Dr. Carreras’ success was attributed not just to individual expertise but also to the implementation of effective Cuban healthcare systems at the clinic level, demonstrating the importance of systemic improvements in achieving positive health outcomes. This example serves as a powerful testament to the potential for transformative change when expertise is combined with robust systems.

The educational exchange component of the MOI is crucial for building local capacity. Currently, 22 students from St. Kitts and Nevis are pursuing medical studies in Cuba, with 13 enrolled in undergraduate programs and nine in postgraduate studies. The agreement aims to expand these educational opportunities, providing more aspiring medical professionals from St. Kitts and Nevis with access to quality medical education in Cuba. This strategic investment in human capital is expected to significantly contribute to strengthening the healthcare workforce in St. Kitts and Nevis in the long term.

The renewed partnership acknowledges the critical role international cooperation plays in ensuring the sustainability of healthcare systems, particularly in smaller nations like St. Kitts and Nevis. Prime Minister Drew underscored the vulnerability of Caribbean healthcare systems without such collaborations, highlighting the risk of collapse in the absence of external support. He stressed the importance of this cooperation not just for St. Kitts and Nevis but for the broader Caribbean region, recognizing the shared challenges and the collective benefit of collaborative efforts in strengthening healthcare infrastructure.

Finally, recognizing the potential sensitivities surrounding international collaborations in healthcare, Prime Minister Drew explicitly addressed concerns related to human trafficking. He unequivocally stated the government’s commitment to ensuring that the partnership with Cuba adheres to the highest ethical standards and complies with international law. This commitment emphasizes that the collaboration is grounded in principles of mutual respect, transparency, and a shared goal of improving healthcare outcomes without compromising ethical considerations or human rights. The MOI, therefore, not only represents a significant step towards enhancing healthcare in St. Kitts and Nevis but also underscores the importance of conducting international collaborations with integrity and adherence to international legal frameworks.