Cuba reinstates travel curbs on medical professionals

Cuba has reinstated travel restrictions on medical professionals in a bid to avoid a medical brain drain, the media reported.

As from December 7, Cuban medical professionals are required to apply for a permit from the health ministry before they can travel abroad, Xinhua quoted a report as saying on Tuesday.

Restrictions were lifted in January 2013 as part of reforms to relax onerous regulations.

However, a sudden upswing in migration sparked by the restoration of ties between Cuba and the US has raised concerns of a medical brain drain.

Cuban doctors are especially coveted by the US government, which aims to lure the doctors working in third countries to the US.