Uruguay Studied Direct Payments to Cuban Doctors
The government aims to resolve US forced labor concerns while keeping the medical program active in Montevideo.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Nursing Jobs
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Uruguay is evaluating a new payment mechanism to compensate Cuban medical professionals directly. This move follows a US State Department report that categorized Cuba's medical export program as a system of forced labor.
Why it matters
The United States bars foreign assistance to countries identified in its report for two consecutive years, prompting Uruguay to seek a resolution that avoids losing funding while maintaining its medical partnership.
Uruguay pays US$250,000 annually for the program, which currently employs 21 Cuban medical workers. These professionals have performed 118,029 eye operations at the José Martí Eye Hospital through July 2025.
The players
United States Department of State
This federal executive department manages the foreign policy of the United States and produces the annual report on human trafficking.
José Martí Eye Hospital
Located in Montevideo, this facility serves as the primary base for Cuban medical brigades operating within Uruguay.
The details
The Uruguayan foreign and health ministries, along with ASSE and the Banco de Previsión Social, are collaborating to develop a direct payment structure. This effort responds to Washington's classification of the medical missions as a forced labor scheme under a 2007 bilateral agreement.
Timeline
Uruguay and Cuba signed the medical agreement in 2007.
The State Department delivered its report to Congress in August 2026.
Washington formally notified Uruguay of the findings on September 4, 2026.
Public awareness of the US warning emerged on September 8, 2026.
Reports of the government studying new payment methods surfaced on September 17, 2026.
Market Landscape
This response highlights the broader diplomatic and economic pressure exerted by the United States on nations utilizing Cuban professional services. The situation reflects an ongoing struggle for countries to balance essential public health partnerships against international labor policy compliance.
For patients in Montevideo, the government's efforts to keep the program running suggest that the medical services at the eye hospital will continue without interruption. No changes to patient access or service availability at the clinic have been announced at this time.
The takeaway
Diplomatic pressure often forces nations to re-evaluate the administrative structures behind public health programs. Maintaining critical services while navigating geopolitical requirements remains a complex challenge for governments worldwide.
Further reading
For broader context on international healthcare staffing, see the latest reports in Nursing Jobs.
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