Georgetown : 32 new members of the Cuban Medical Brigade were oriented on their posts in health care facilities countrywide.
At the orientation ceremony which was held at the Regency Hotel, Hadfield Street, Minister of Health Dr. Bheri Ramsaran welcomed the medical practitioners and highlighted the fact that Guyana shares an old relationship with Cuba, which was further strengthened in 2006 when a team from Guyana headed by Former President Bharrat Jagdeo visited the country. Following discussions, Guyana was given the largest assistance from Cuba in the area of medicine with hundreds of scholarships. He noted that the largest concentration of Cuban doctors has over the years been based at the diagnostic centres and the Ophthalmology Hospital. However, these individuals are now deployed countrywide especially in the Hinterland areas.
In addition, he also noted that the stipend is small but constraints have to be taken into consideration as the Ministry is working on increasing it.
The Minister also pointed out that Guyana is becoming a hub for Medical conferences.
Cuban Ambassador, Julio Gonzalez Marchante also shared the sentiments of the Minister in highlighting that the countries share a deep relationship.
As he turned his attention to the doctors he said, “The challenge is for you to learn the language… and despite the challenge you must learn the culture of the Guyanese people and ensure that you deliver the best quality of care to the people of Guyana.”
Ambassador Marchante, also lauded the country’s approach to dealing with the Chikungunya virus outbreak, as he highlighted to the doctors, examples of the Ministry’s work.
Dr Midalys Otero Hernandez, Director of Cuban Medical Brigade noted that Guyana has 170 doctors from Cuba who are based in many areas in six of the country’s 10 administrative regions.
She added that the relationship the two countries share has been longstanding and offered that it will continue for even a longer period.
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