Brasilia, November 26 (RHC)-- The President of the Brazilian Socialist Party (PSB), Carlos Siqueira, has blamed President-elect Jair Bolsonaro for the millions of Brazilians left without medical assistance after Cuba stopped its participation in the More Doctors program.  He described the work done by Cuban doctors in the country as very positive, especially “in poor and remote” areas that had never seen a doctor. 

Meanwhile, Brazilian Socialist Party Senator João Capiberibe noted that Brazilians, especially the poorest, received the news with a mix of sadness and gratitue. “We are going to have 28 million people without medical assistance after Cuban professionals return to their homeland...it is also sad that our country has elected a president that harms its own people,” stated Capiberibe.  He noted that since his election, Bolsonaro has tried to “humiliate and offend the Cuban doctors,” by questioning their credentials and demanding contract changes, which led to the island's withdrawl from the Program. 

In a recent statement by PSB representatives, the party noted that the Cuban government's decision “does not represent a unilateral or ideological position, as some claim, but it is the response to reprochable statements by the Brazilian transition government, which will undoubtedly bring enormous social harm and lack of assistance for those most in need.”