Italians Thank the Cuban Doctors Working in Calabria
June 16, 2026
Cuban medical workers have served on international cooperation missions in more than 150 countries since the 1960s.
During Covid, a Cuban medical brigade helped Italians in Lombardy, which triggered Calabria’s president Roberto Occhiuto to reach out to Cuba in 2022 to invite hundreds of doctors to his region. Calabria is one of the poorest regions in Italy and its healthcare has suffered greatly from staffing and other issues.
Listen to the Italian people explain what Cuba’s health internationalism means to them.
“Cuba will always be in my heart,” says an elderly Italian man whose life was saved by a Cuban doctor.
Watch our documentary film “From Cuba to Calabria: Medical Missions in Times of Crisis.”
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Calabria, a region in Southern Italy, was dealing with a severe shortage of doctors. Over 300 Cuban doctors have filled the void. The doctors have come to Calabria as part of a Cuban medical cooperation mission.
“We’ve had to bring doctors from abroad, in this case from Cuba, because we don’t have enough local doctors,” says an Italian person on the street.
“A friend of mine was in the hospital and was treated by Cuban doctors. She told me she had a good experience,” says another.
“I’ve heard good things. A relative of mine, a cousin… a Cuban doctor saved her life,” says an Italian.
“I was sick here in Tropea, and a Cuban doctor took care of me,” says an elderly man.
“Of course this is only a temporary solution. It doesn’t reach the root of the problem,” says an Italian.
“Right now, we need to solve the emergency situation. It’s good that there are more doctors, Cuban doctors,” says an Italian.
“I’m happy they’re here,” says an Italian/
“I think they are very helpful,” says an Italian.
“They have integrated into our hospitals really well,” says another.
“I hope this example of integration can continue, even with other countries, the more the merrier,” says an Italian.
“Thank you to the Cuban doctors,” says an Italian.
“Cuba will always be in my heart,” says an Italian.
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