Opposition spokesman on Health and Wellness, Dr. Alfred Dawes says the government should focus on training and incentivising Jamaican healthcare workers to go into rural areas.

He made the statement as he responded to the discontinuation of the deployment of medical professionals in the public health sector by Cuba.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, both governments were unable to agree on the terms and conditions of a new technical cooperation arrangement, following the expiration of the previous agreement in February 2023.

Speaking to IRIE FM News, Dr. Dawes said the island must now build its own capacity.

He also suggested providing scholarships for workers who operate in underserved areas.