Brazil now looking for Portuguese, Spanish doctors, not Cubans

[Bacchus4.0]

http://news.yahoo.com/brazil-now-looking-portuguese-spanish-doctors-not-cubans-214810391.html

- The Brazilian government, under pressure to improve public health services, has dropped plans to import a contingent of Cuban doctors and is instead looking to hire physicians in Spain and Portugal, the Health Ministry said on Monday.

The plan to bring in Cuban doctors created a backlash because of questions about their qualifications. Brazilian medical associations argued that standards at Cuba's medical schools were lower than in Brazil and equivalent in some cases to a nursing education.

Brazil was rocked last month by massive protests fueled by frustration with a high cost of living and deplorable public transportation, education and health services, plus anger over the billions that will be spent to host the 2014 World Cup.

In response, President Dilma Rousseff is moving to expand public services, crack down on corruption and hold a non-binding national vote on political reform. Her push to improve services comes even as the government tightens the reins on overall spending in an effort to preserve fiscal responsibility.

[joshcryer]

1. Does Dilma really think Spain or Portugal doctors will go to rural areas?

That's the entire reason you go for a Cuban doctor, because they simply have no choice but to obey and go where they are told.

[Bacchus4.0]

2. if they pay them enough I suppose

Spain and Portugal have pretty high unemployment. I don't know how the economic crisis is affecting the medical system. A young doctor or couple might consider it an adventure kind of like a Peace Corps type deal, or fellowship if the price is right.