Cuba Ups Price for its Doctors in Namibia

HAVANA TIMES — The Namibian government and the Cuban government agency that administers Cuban medical services abroad are currently negotiating over a new contract for those services, which could cost the African nation more than 50 percent more than under the current agreement.

According to a news article in the periodical AllAfrica, Namibia will have to pay more than $75,000 per physician per year, while costs under the current agreement for this assistance are approximately $34,000 annually.

With the price being so “high,” this will lead to compromises in the quality of services since a “reduction in the number of physicians will be required to match the available resources, which could in turn reduce the ability of the government to provide adequate medical and specialized services throughout the country.”

Up until now, agreements between Cuba and Namibia had been signed between the two governments, but in the new project the island is represented by a “corporation,” which describes itself as a “state entity,” according to AllAfrica.