Havana, November 16 (RHC)-- More than 29 million Brazilians will be affected by Cuba's decision not to continue participating in the 'More Doctors for Brazil' Program, in the wake of threatening remarks by Brazilian president-elect Jair Bolsonaro.

An article in today's edition of Cuba's newspaper Granma highlights that the Brazilian poor will end up paying the price of their incoming ultra-right-wing leader's stance.  While reiterating Cuba's solidarity with the Brazilian people, the Granma article demanded respect for the Caribbean state and its health professionals.

The article insists that Cuba will cease its participation in the 'More Doctors' Program out of dignity and respect for itself and its professionals, following the unacceptable conditions and modifications to the Program that Bolsonaro announced he will impose as soon as he assumes the Brazilian presidency.  Cuba says that the announced modifications violate the terms of the Program as agreed upon by the Cuban government, the Pan-American Health Organization and the Brazilian government, when the 'More Doctors for Brazil' Program was first launched in 2013 under then Brazilian president Dilma Russeff.

The Granma article also quotes Dilma herself, when she said Cuba ceasing its participation in the Program amounts to an irreparable loss, both in the short and medium terms, given that tens of millions of Brazilians across the South American country will be left without access to primary health care again.