Health system boosted with 20 doctors, 1 pharmacist  

Georgetown, GINA, September 6, 2012 -- Source - GINA

Doctors Mark Ramar and Dwayne Kellman and, Pharmacist Stacy James are proud Guyanese youths who have just completed medical studies in Cuba. Importantly they are enthusiastic to start using their new skills and knowledge to serve the Guyanese public.

These three medical practitioners are part of a larger group of 21 professionals, two of whom received their training in Russia.

The doctors will be stationed at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and the New Amsterdam Hospital where they will receive another round of guided training before they are dispatched into the Regions to continue their service.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran, Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, Director (ag.), Regional Health Services, Dr. Irv Chan are joined by the medical professionals who have completed training in Cuba and Russia. Also, in the front row are the Cuban doctors who had oversight of the Guyanese training in Cuba.

Minister of Health, Dr. Bheri Ramsaran noted that youths can access medical training to become doctors via the Cuba and Russian scholarship programmes and at the GPHC.

Minister Ramsaran acknowledged the need for more doctors with specialised skills however; they must serve for at least two and a half to three years before they can pursue higher training.

He emphasised that the Government is pleased that the doctors have succeeded in their studies and now expects them to effectively provide medical care to the public.  This, he added, has been well undertaken by the other doctors who have returned home in the past years.

Director (ag.), Regional Health Service, Dr. Irv Chan, who also received his training in Cuba, pointed out that the doctors are now at a point in their life where they will be able to practice what they have learnt.

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Shamdeo Persaud, in his presentation, looked at various components of the health sector including laws, reporting of deaths, the national health authority, health partnerships, legislations and goals of the sector.

Minister of Public Service, Dr. Jennifer Westford last month told the National Assembly that 69 Guyanese medical students are expected back this year and would be undertaking their final year of training at seven faculties located in Regions Two, Three, Four, Five and Six which are manned by Cuban specialists.

The Cuban Scholarship Programme started in 2002 when the Cuban Government offered Guyana 350 scholarships. It was extended in 2006 when President Jagdeo and Cuba’s President Castro signed the agreement for a further 965 scholarships over the period 2006 to 2010.