Cuban specialists will train local doctors

LOCAL DOCTORS will receive training in specialised procedures, such as tissue transplants and cardiac surgery, from Cuban specialists who will arrive in Trinidad and Tobago next month. This was disclosed yesterday by Health Minister John Rahael who also indicated that these doctors will undertake these procedures at no cost (with Government only having to pay for their airfare and accommodations while they are in TT) and simultaneously train local doctors in these specialised procedures.

In March, a team of Health Ministry officials led by Permanent Secretary Hamid O’Brien went to recruit additional Cuban medical personnel and explore the possibility of TT nationals going to Cuba for specialised surgery, including tissue transplants. During that trip, 29 doctors, 68 nurses and six professionals allied to medicine were interviewed by Ministry officials. Newsday was also informed that the Ministry will recruit 24 doctors, 30 intensive care/specialised nurses, ten dentists and ten allied medical professionals. Eight doctors will be assigned to Cuba. The Cuban medical personnel will be employed on contract for two years and their services are expected to cost approximately $1 million per month.

They will be employed over a five-month period, starting in May. The Minister said he pleased that the trip was successful and the greater fluency in English of this batch of Cuban medical personnel was an added bonus. Rahael said criticisms made by acting Medical Association Professionals of TT president, Dr Lakhan Roop about local doctors not being given the chance to undertake these procedures were not justified because “there is a shortage of those types of doctors in the public sector.” Rahael then disclosed that the proposal to send nationals to Cuba to undergo tissue transplants has been abandoned because Cuban law prevents their citizens from donating organs to non-Cuban nationals.  In any event, Rahael reiterated that it “would be more economical to do the surgery here.”

The Minister also disclosed that the Central Tenders Board has issued invitations for health care providers to tender for two renal dialysis centres which will be located in North and South Trinidad respectively. Stressing Government’s determination to reduce the surgical waiting lists “in all areas,” Rahael said the Regional Health Authorities have been preparing a patient database of persons requiring cataract surgery, and newspaper advertisements will be published this week, asking these persons to call the Ministry’s hotlines (623-4845, 627-2569) to ensure their names are on the waiting lists.