The number of Cuban doctors employed by the Calabria Region to run public hospitals is growing. The first arrived a year ago, and their presence sparked debate: the agreement signed with Cuba had been criticized by a group of Spanish MEPs, as well as some M5S members, who saw the agreement with the Comercializadora de Servicios Medicos Cubanos as a form of exploitation and slavery: 1200 euros in lump sum reimbursement, plus accommodation and travel expenses. A direct payment of three thousand five hundred euros was made to the Cuban commercial company for each professional. "Transnational agreements with Cuban medical organizations are nothing new", explained Governor Roberto Occhiuto. "No human rights violations, exploitation, or slavery will occur here. Cuba's health-care model is among the most admired in the world". Today, there are 274 Cuban doctors in Calabria, spread across the garrisons of Cosenza, Vibo Valentia, Crotone, Reggio Calabria, Catanzaro, and the Dulbecco University Hospital, where they keep many wards alive. And new arrivals from Cuba are still expected: the agreement reached with the Region calls for the deployment of 497 specialist doctors to Calabria. Public hospitals continue to operate as a result of their efforts.
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