Uruguay Defends Cuban Physicians
Prominent Uruguayan writer Tomas de Mattos expressed his rejection Friday of what he described as pressure by Uruguayan doctors so that poor patients cannot receive free treatment in Cuba.

In a note published by Caras and Caretas weekly, de Mattos, also current National Library director, described as “legal nonsense” an allegation made against Cuban ophthalmologists by the country’s Association of Anesthesiologists and Surgeons.

According to the said association, the Island’s professionals should have their degrees re-authorized in Uruguay before they are allowed to assist patients as well as organize lists of patients who travel to Cuba to receive free treatment as part of Operation Miracle.

In the last few hours, Public Health Minister Maria Julia Munoz reiterated that “Cuban ophthalmologists are in Uruguay as part of an agreement between the governments of Uruguay and Cuba.”