A Cuban doctor, known online as Maria Magdalena la Sacerdotisa, expressed her outrage on Wednesday through a Facebook video, where she criticized the latest salary adjustments for the nation's doctors. She described the situation as a "global disgrace," noting that the increase amounts to a mere $10 per month.
"We are a global disgrace. The doctors in this country are a global disgrace," she declared in the video, which quickly amassed over 17,000 views and nearly 200 comments.
This reaction follows the release of Resolution 17/2026 by the Ministry of Labor and Social Security, which outlines the new salary framework for healthcare workers, effective from July 1, 2026, with payments starting in August.
According to this regulation, a newly graduated doctor will earn 7,045 Cuban pesos (CUP) per month, while a second-degree specialist will receive 8,880 CUP. Given the current unofficial exchange rate—673 CUP per dollar as of July 26—these salaries equate to approximately $10.5 and $13.2 per month, respectively.
"Ten dollars, given today's exchange rates, is a disgrace. That's the monthly wage for a Cuban doctor, or it will be, since it's not yet in effect," the doctor clarified in her video.
The disparity between these salaries and the actual cost of living in Cuba is staggering. Independent economists estimate that an individual requires at least 96,060 CUP monthly to meet basic needs, with 70,070 CUP allocated solely for food. A weekly grocery shopping trip for essentials can range from 25,000 to 30,000 CUP, which is three to four times the monthly salary of a medical specialist.
Prior to this resolution, a newly graduated doctor earned 5,060 CUP monthly, less than eight dollars at the informal exchange rate, according to Cuba's black market currency data.
Impact of Private Pharmacies on Healthcare Access
The doctor also criticized another recent government policy: the authorization of private pharmacies, established under Decree 160/2026, allowing small businesses and cooperatives to provide pharmaceutical services starting August 4, 2026.
"And now with these private pharmacies, who will have access to these medications? I ask because of the price they will charge," she remarked, implicitly questioning whether healthcare staff themselves could afford these market-priced medicines.
She also delivered a direct message to her fellow professionals: "Colleagues, what a disgrace they make us, or want us to be, because I refuse to play along."
"If you don't value yourself, no one else will," she concluded, seemingly urging her peers not to silently accept working conditions that, in her view, demean the medical profession.
The exodus of Cuban doctors has been a steadily growing trend in recent years, driven by the inability to survive on public sector wages.
In July 2026, Cuba's minimum wage rose to 3,210 CUP, meaning a second-degree medical specialist earns just 2.76 times this national minimum—a meager return for a career requiring six to eight years of university education.
Frequently Asked Questions about Cuban Doctors' Salaries
What is the new salary for Cuban doctors after the recent resolution?
A newly graduated doctor will earn 7,045 CUP per month, while a second-degree specialist will receive 8,880 CUP.
How does the new salary compare to the cost of living in Cuba?
The salary is drastically insufficient, as independent economists estimate a monthly requirement of at least 96,060 CUP to cover basic needs.
What impact do the new private pharmacies have on access to medication?
The introduction of private pharmacies raises concerns about whether healthcare workers can afford the medications sold at market prices.