https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/12/24/cuban-doctors-arrive-in-panama-to-help-with-covid-fight
Panama has recently been hit with a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases and a decrease in medical workers to combat this. The government has imposed restrictions similar to the beginning of the pandemic, and imposed a lockdown over the holidays. The health ministry of the country announced that to boost the general healthcare system of Central America they’d hired 220 Cuban specialist doctors to be sent over to Panama. However, this has resulted in backlash from allies such as the U.S., due to a law prohibiting the work of foreign medical workers. They’re demanding fair pay, humane treatment, and clear contracts. They additionally believe Cuba exploits their healthcare workers as a way of spreading propaganda. However, these medical workers and the new restrictions imposed by the government will hopefully help to quell the pandemic in that region.
When I first saw this article I thought it was interesting to see countries coming together to help each other through the pandemic. However, when I read about the other side through laws prohibiting this I saw how controversial this topic was. Countries have to make a choice between the health of their citizens or their political agendas. This article also highlights the struggles of medical professionals right now, as many are dying due to complications with the virus. The recent surges are also overwhelming these medical workers as they’re shorthanded, showing how the cycle of the pandemic will continue until the vaccine has been distributed. What’s going on in Panama is being mirrored around the world, as the country was forced to reopen in order to stabilize their economy, but this resulted in a surge in cases. It’s interesting how Panama’s government chose to go into lockdown again, especially around the holidays, as countries such as the U.S. have yet to take this type of action in fear of economic decline.
This issue connects to what we’ve discussed in class through the realist and liberal theories. When looked at from a liberal perspective, Cuba sending doctors to Panama to help with their shortage of medical professionals can be seen as a humanitarian act in correlation with the pandemic. However, when it’s looked at from a realist perspective it appears a selfish act and as though Cuba agreed to this to benefit their personal agenda. The country has been known in the past to use healthcare workers as a propaganda tool, spreading non liberal views.