CAPE VERDE
FACTS
Health workers: 79 (+29 for Covid-
19)
Cumulative: 1,000 (approximate)
Mission status: Active
AGREEMENTS
MOST RECENT AGREEMENT
DURATION: 45 years
BEGAN: 1975
AGREEMENT SIGNER: N/A
PREVIOUS AGREEMENTS: N/A
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Geographic areas: (Countrywide)
Health areas: Surgery, obstetrics.
anesthesiology, pediatrics,
epidemiology and hygiene, nursing
Documented cases: No
Documented agreement: No
Current facts:
• Active personnel: 99
• Defections: 20 (estimated)
• Did not return to Cuba: 10 (est.)
• Prohibited from returning to
Cuba: 10 (est.)
Official statistics available: Yes
Most relevant violations:
Restrictions stemming from
Resolution No. 168 in addition to
usual restrictions applied to medical
workers in most missions.

SUMMARY

Cuba and Cape Verde began their medical cooperation in 1975, soon after the African nation gained its independence from Portugal. (Cuba had been supporting Cape Verde in military efforts since 1972.) A medical brigade of 79 workers provide services in various medical areas; in April 2020 these were joined by 20 members of the Henry Reeve brigade to assist in the response to coronavirus, based on a three-party agreement also involving Luxembourg. This contingent is made up of five physicians, 10 nurses, and five hygiene and epidemiology specialists. In addition, hundreds of doctors from Cape Verde have graduated from the Latin American School of Medicine in Havana. Cuba also assists in the development of Cape Verde’s health tourism industry as part of a comprehensive package of health services exported to the African nation. Luxembourg financially supports the Cuban mission – it is confirmed that it supports at least the export of Cuban medical workers in this way.

DOCUMENTED CASES

Anonymous: None
Documented Violations: No
Not anonymous: None
Public (media): None

Findings: Restrictions stemming from Resolution No. 168 in addition to usual
restrictions applied to medical workers in most missions

NAMES OF CHIEFS OF MISSIONS

Dr. Maria Caridad Pérez Matute, Chief of Cuban Medical Brigade
Dr. José Antonio Sánchez, Chief of Henry Reeve Medical Brigade #22

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