Guyanese President Irfaan Ali acknowledged that the presence of Cuban health workers is an essential part of the Caribbean health system, Prensa Latina news agency reported from Georgetown.

Ali commented on a meeting last Friday between leaders of the region to exchange views on the recent accusation by US authorities of alleged labour trafficking in the hiring of Cuban doctors.

He explained that Guyana along with the Caribbean Community countries agreed on the need to clarify the matter with the United States, including the decision to restrict visas to authorities who favour Cuban cooperation.

«I don’t see the possibility of abandoning Cuba on this issue,» the Caribbean leader pointed out, suggesting that Washington is not right in its argument about labour trafficking operations regarding the work of the island’s medical brigades.

The President acknowledged the complex situation in Guyana and the region in terms of human resources in health, which indicates the role of the Cuban medical presence in the pursuit of high standards of health care.