Latest update November 21st, 2024 1:00 AM
Cuban doctors complete tour of duty, say farewell
The Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) yesterday bade farewell to eight members of the Cuban medical brigade who have completed their tour of duty.
The hospital also welcomed seven new doctors who have come as replacements and will perform functions at the facility for the next two years.
The farewell reception, which was held at the Cheddi Jagan Research Centre, was complemented by remarks from head of the medical brigade, Dr. Rody Cerventes Silva; Ambassador of the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba, Pedro Arteaga Cardenas; Chief Executive Officer of GPHC, Michael Khan; Minister within the Ministry of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran; and Minister of Health, Dr. Leslie Ramsammy.
Dr. Ramsaran presented plaques of appreciation to the outgoing medical team.
Michael Khan noted that the relationship between GPHC and Cuba has strengthened over the years.
He also pointed out the significant contributions of the medical experts in areas of pathology, anesthetics, paediatrics, physiotherapy, psychiatrics and other departments.
Dr. Ramsaran presenting a plaque of appreciation to an outgoing Cuban medical team member
Dr. Ramsaran noted the presence of Cuban doctors not only at GPHC but in every region of Guyana.
He identified the four comprehensive treatment and diagnostic centres at Diamond, Suddie, Leonora and Mahaicony, which are manned by Cuban medical experts and which were constructed with the expert advice of the Cubans.
According to Minister Ramsaran, the Port Mourant Hospital which will focus on ophthalmology will again be manned by Cuban doctors.
This facility, he added, will be capable of handling some 10,000 operations on any eye disease per year.
Dr. Ramsaran also noted that the Medical Training Programme of Guyana which is based in Cuba is bearing fruit.
He said that by 2011, some 700 qualified Guyanese doctors will be in Guyana as a result of Cuba’s contribution and assistance.
Minister Ramsammy said that the financial support of Cuba has been extraordinary.
According to him, the cost to do the work that Cuba has done for Guyana in terms of training doctors in the United States would exceed US$100M.
“This is not a small contribution,” Ramsammy pointed out.
The Minister also said that he hopes that the day will come soon when Guyana can provide health care all by its self and, when that day comes, Cuba will take its place in our history for the significant contributions.
He also noted how significant the results of Cubans and Guyanese doctors working in unison have been great.
According to the Minister, Guyana’s maternal mortality rate is less than 10 per 10,000 deliveries.
He added that Guyana set a target for infant mortality in 2001 to be 16 per 10,000 births by 2012. In 2007, Minister Ramsammy said, the infant mortality rate was 19 per 10,000.
“Look at how far we have come…It is our health care providers working together. That is the kind of miracle that we can create when we work together.”
A few years ago, he pointed out that the waiting list for simple surgeries was more than three years. Now the backlog has been significantly reduced.
Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, Pedro Cardenas, said that since the regional agreement was signed in 2006 between President Bharrat Jagdeo and Cuban President Fidel Castro, the quality of health service has improved.
There are currently some 180 Cuban doctors and technicians working in all the regions of Guyana.
The outgoing members of the medical team are Rafael S Torres De La Nuez, Juan Carlos Gonzalez Fonseca, Fatima De Los Angeles Garcia Aquiles, Ada Milagnos Gonzalez Delis, Antonio Vila Sanchez, Raul Manguel Arego Bedevia, Maria De Los Guiterrez Martinez, Jorge Rodrigez Fernandez and Andras Cristobal Rosa Teledo.
The incoming members are Omani Alba Turino, Luis Enrique Tellez, Rues, Edgar Areas Deoncares, Carlos Rafael Moran, Ernesto Enriquez, Giralt Reyes, Juan Carlos Borroto Gomez and Edila Chinea Rodrigez.
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