Latest update August 19th, 2026 8:14 PM
The government expects 100% from us, but disregards our legitimate concerns
Dear Editor,
In response to the editorial published on Saturday, August 18th, “Where are the doctors?”, I would like express how disappointed we as students are that of the 250-plus medical students who finished their fifth year in Cuba and were scheduled to return this year to Guyana to complete their medical internship, the government only sent for 69.
The government said that there are not enough facilities and doctors/specialists to teach us for that year, so we have to spend another gruelling year in Cuba to complete our internship. We were told that the 69 were selected by the Cubans based on geographic locations and academic performances; however, it was clearly based on favoritism and political association with the Guyanese government.
The Cubans have no idea about our geographic locations and the need for doctors in specific regions. Plus, students who had lower GPAs were selected even though other students from the same region had higher GPAs. Over the years the government has treated us like we never existed. Only recently did they remember that it was time for the students to return home, just to realize that it was too late to put measures in place for us.
The government expects 100% from us, but disregards our legitimate concerns, and treats us like second class citizens. You would think the government wants the students to migrate as soon as possible, causing more brain drain, instead of addressing the problem.
I would like for the government to send for the remainder of students who they left behind in Cuba, to complete the internship in Guyana. This way the students can familiarize themselves with the Guyana health care system, since here is where we will be practicing physicians. Furthermore, it will allow us to transition from Spanish to English before we become full-fledged doctors and strive to transform the health care system in Guyana.
Frustrated student in Cuba
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