St. Lucia Bars Medical Studies in Cuba, PM Cites U.S. Pressure

DBSTV/Saint Lucia will no longer send students to Cuba to study medicine, Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre confirmed, citing mounting pressure from the United States that has upended longstanding regional arrangements.

Speaking at the Second World Congress on Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities, Pierre said the shift is unprecedented but unavoidable given the changing geopolitical climate. For decades, Cuban medical scholarships have been a key pathway for training Caribbean doctors, including many from Saint Lucia.

The move has left prospective medical students uncertain about their options and raised concerns about the future supply of locally trained physicians. Pierre said the decision was not taken lightly, but the government has limited room to maneuver as it seeks to protect broader diplomatic and economic interests.

He urged the St. Lucian diaspora—particularly medical professionals abroad—to provide support, mentorship and investment, while calling for alternative solutions such as partnerships with other international medical schools, expanded regional collaboration and stronger domestic training pathways.

Health sector stakeholders are assessing the potential impact on hospital staffing and long-term capacity, warning that delays in policy adjustments could further strain the system. Government officials said details on replacement programmes and transitional arrangements for affected students will be announced in the coming weeks.

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