Editorial of The New York Times: The brain drain in Cuba, courtesy of USA

In an editorial sixth since 12 October, published in English and Spanish, The New York Times attacks the US program, in place since the Bush administration, which encouraged the migration of Cuban medical personnel, as "particularly difficult justify ".

"It is incongruous that America values the contributions of Cuban doctors sent by the government to assist in global crises, like the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, while seeking to destabilize the state facilitating defections."

He says that "while it remains inconsistent policy, establish a healthy relationship between the two countries will continue to be difficult."

Following is the full text of the editorial:

The Secretary of State John Kerry and US Ambassador to the UN, Samantha Power, have praised the contribution of Cuban doctors who care for patients with Ebola in West Africa. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Disease, a US federal agency, recently sent an official to a regional meeting organized by the Cuban government in Havana, to coordinate the fight against the epidemic. In Africa, the Cuban doctors are working in facilities built by the United States. The virus has had the unexpected effect of injecting common sense into an unnecessarily toxic relationship.

However, doctors working in West Africa today could easily abandon their obligations, take a taxi to the nearest US embassy and apply for immigration status through a program that has allowed thousands of desertions. If approved, they can enter the United States in a matter of weeks, a few years to become US citizens.

There are many reprehensible aspects of failed US policies regarding Cuba and the embargo imposed on the island for decades. But the program that encourages the migration of medical personnel during official assignments abroad is particularly difficult to justify. During the recently completed fiscal year, 1,278 medical professionals, a record number, obtained authorization to immigrate.

It is incongruous that America values the contributions of Cuban doctors sent by the government to assist in global crises, like the earthquake in Haiti in 2010, while seeking to destabilize the state facilitating defections.

The US immigration system should give priority to refugees and vulnerable persons persecuted worldwide. But should not be used to aggravate the brain drain of an adversary nation, especially when improving relations between countries is a viable and sensible goal.

The program, designed by the executive branch, started in August 2006 when Emilio Gonzalez, a Cuban exile, strongly opposed the government of the island, was in charge of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration in the United States. Gonzalez described the working conditions of doctors as "trafficking sanctioned by the state." At that time, the Bush administration was seeking to undermine the Cuban government. To facilitate the defection of physicians participating in missions abroad is an opportunity to attack the main diplomatic tool of the island and humiliate the Castro regime.

Cuba takes several years using his medical brigades as their main source of income and persuasive power. The island has one of the highest rates of physicians per capita in the world, and offers scholarships to study health of hundreds of international students each year. Among them, there have been some Americans. According to Cuban government figures, more than 440,000 people on the island of 11 million are employed in the health sector.

Havana gets subsidized oil from Venezuela and money from various countries as compensation for medical care provided. This year, the state newspaper Granma, the government expects to receive $ 8.200 million dollars for his medical work overseas personnel. The vast majority of those currently displaced, some 46,000 work in Latin America and the Caribbean. About 4,000 are assigned to 32 African nations.

Medical professionals, like most Cubans earn low salaries. This year, the government increased the salaries of health professionals. Doctors now earn about $ 60 per month and nurses earn about $ 40 per month. Overseas assignments represent an opportunity to earn substantially more. The doctors currently working in Brazil, for example, receive approximately $ 1,200 per month.

The 256 medical professionals who care for patients with Ebola in West Africa are receiving a daily allowance of about $ 240 by the World Health Organization. José Luis Di Fabio, the head of the WHO mission in Havana, said doctors and nurses in Africa traveled willingly. "Voluntary," he said during an interview. "There were some who backed out and there was no problem."

Some doctors who have defected say assignments abroad have been an implicit element of coercion, and have complained that the Cuban government most of the money generated by their services embolsilla. However, the State Department said in its latest report on human trafficking that the alleged coercion of Cuban medical professionals "does not reflect a uniform policy of the government." Still, Havana could pay your employees abroad more generously if medical brigades will continue to represent an important source of income.

Last year, the Cuban government eased immigration restrictions, allowing most of its citizens, including dissidents, may enter and leave the country freely. The doctors, who in the past were subject to tighter restrictions, can also travel without problems now. US reserves 20,000 immigration visas for Cubans on the island each year. Additionally, those who manage to get by irregular means, automatically acquire legal residence.

The Cuban government considers defection medical program as a symbol of duplicity by the United States. It inhibits the ability of Cuba in contributing to international crises and does not help in the least, to create a more open and democratic society. While this remains inconsistent policy, establish a healthy relationship between the two countries will continue to be difficult.

As an increasing number of Cubans, many medical professionals are certainly interesting possibility will continue to emigrate to the United States in search of better opportunities, and are entitled to. But invite them to defect during missions abroad is excessive.