Written question asked by Bell Ribeiro-Addy (Labour) on Wednesday, 5 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 11 November 2025. It was answered by Chris Elmore (Labour) on Thursday, 13 November 2025 on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Cuba: Maternity Services and Sickle Cell Diseases

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, whether she has had discussions with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care on potential scientific exchange programmes with Cuba on (a) maternal health and (b) sickle cell disease.

Answer: The UK-Cuba Political Dialogue and Cooperation Agreement (PDCA) was signed under the previous Government. We are currently undertaking a cross-Government consultation before it is laid before Parliament for scrutiny, while continuing to cooperate positively with Cuba in the interim where possible, including on climate. The PDCA will support discussion on issues of common interest and will include human rights as a standing agenda item. It also offers the potential to facilitate exchanges of expertise, including on economic reform and healthcare.

Secondary information