There are credible reports that arrangements between the Cuban government and certain Latin American and Caribbean governments to supply Cuban health workers as physicians to these countries are bypassing systems, established to protect patients, that have been set up to verify physicians' credentials and competence.

The World Medical Association is significantly concerned that patients are put at risk by unregulated medical practices.

There exist already duly constituted and legally authorized medical associations within this region that are charged with the registration of physicians and which should be consulted by their respective Ministries of Health.

Therefore, the WMA:

1. Condemns any actions by governments in policies and practices that subvert or bypass the accepted standards of medical credentialing and medical care;
   
   
2. Calls upon the governments in Latin America and the Caribbean to work with the medical associations on all matters related to physician certification and the practice of medicine and to respect the role and rights of these medical associations and the autonomy of the medical profession.
   
   
3. Urges, as a matter of utmost concern, that the governments in Latin America and the Caribbean respect the WMA International Code of Medical Ethics and the Declaration of Madrid that guide the medical practice of physicians all over the world.