Havana, Cuba.- A new group of 203 Cuban doctors from Brazil arrived in Havana on Sunday, following the decision of the island”s government not to continue participating in the More Doctors Program after President-elect Jair Bolsonaro questioned the work of Cuban health professionals.

The doctors were received at the air terminal by First Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa and Minister of Public Health Jose Angel Portal.

The welcoming speech was delivered by Deputy Health Minister Luis Fernando Navarro, who highlighted the solidarity and commitment of those doctors who were working in outlying places of Brazil, while reiterating Cuba’s position of principles.

On behalf of the returning professionals, Dr. Maria del Pilar Esquivel supported the decision of the Government not to continue in the Mas Medicos program, and highlighted their willingness and commitment to take on new missions.

This is the fifth flight that arrives at Jose Marti international airport with medical volunteers. More than 1,000 have arrived in Cuba since the return process began on Friday.

According to official data, some 113 million Brazilians in more than 3,600 municipalities were looked after by Cuban doctors.

In mid November, the Cuban Ministry of Public Health announced the decision not to continue in the program created in 2013 by the then President Dilma Rouseff, given the conditions and threats of Bolsonaro.