Speaking the language of medicine

THE EDITOR: When I was a freelance writer for the Express in 1983-87, Owen Baptiste had a column called “No Sacred Cows” which shared licks free sheet, in an incisive manner. Thanks for exposing the sacred cow of prejudice on the part of Dr Maharaj, in respect of Cuban doctors. (My sisters — Mrs Ryan, Ms Edwards, Mrs Baboolal and Mrs Gonzales do not share his views, but are not high up on the totem pole enough to come out and say so, they are only nurses with a combined service of more than a hundred years, who hope to see better health for all). My nephew, who is a Nigerian trained doctor working here, will not share that view either. We, in Trinidad, were a Spanish colony for 305 years, a British colony for 165 years. I never was treated by an African looking doctor until I was an adult.

They were always Chinese up to that time. Now, if Caribbean people can come and help with our medical crises, then it would seem that we have more in common with them than anyone else who came in, because we shared slavery under Europeans, and three hundred years of Spanish influence. When once they settle in, the society might be surprised and delighted to see how much in common Caribbean people really have. You are the voice of good sense. I am glad. There is a language of the heart that caring people speak, and the medical terms are Latin for a reason. I believe that the Cuban doctors are a step in the right direction. The health care system has fallen apart, but not under the Cubans. It needs surgery. I hope they can assist.

LINDA EDWARDS
Caroni
PS: Did you notice that when they were trying to separate the Iranian twins joined at the head, in Singapore recently, that an international team of surgeons was assembled? Do you think they all spoke Singaporese? They all spoke the language of medicine.