The repealed contract agreement for residents had stipulated an obligation to work ten years for the government after graduation or pay over US $61,000 to be released.
HAVANA TIMES – Nicaragua’s Ministry of Health (Minsa) retracted its original plans and eliminated the “agreements and contracts” clause obligating specialists graduating from their residency programs to work 10 years for the government or pay the equivalent of US $61,706.
The change was announced on April 1 by Health Minister Martha Reyes. The announcement was read during the opening ceremony of the “2024-2028 Medical-Surgical Specialty Program” promoted by Minsa and the National Autonomous University of Nicaragua (UNAN).
The backtracking “Leaves without effect and invalidated the agreements and contracts signed during the year 2024 between Minsa and the resident doctors who enter or finish this year.”
The document highlights the decision was at the request of Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega, who it termed “the chief promoter of the process of specialization and sub-specialization for Nicaraguan doctors.”
The resolution, which Confidencial obtained a copy of, was approved at the last minute – on March 31, 2024. It was declared immediately binding.
Minsa will open slots, but specialists now free to choose
The resolution specifies that after finishing their residency “Minsa will offer slots for specialists according to the needs of the Health Services, the number of vacancies, and the existi