Well now the US is calling it forced labour - and that could spell trouble for health officials and their families.

In a press statement issued by the US State Department, they announced an expansion of an existing Cuba-related visa restriction policy that, quote, "applies to current or former Cuban government officials, and other individuals, including foreign government officials, who are believed to be responsible for, or involved in, the Cuban labor export program, particularly Cuba's overseas medical missions. This policy also applies to the immediate family of such persons. The Department has already taken steps to impose visa restrictions on several individuals, including Venezuelans, under this expanded policy."