Govt breaks silence on attack on Cuban-trained doctors

After mounting criticisms on Government’s silence about columnist Freddie Kissoon’s attack on Cuban-trained doctors, the Public Health Ministry has finally condemned Kissoon’s outburst on the reputation of these individuals.

The Ministry in a statement on Tuesday stated that Kissoon recklessly and baselessly branded the doctors as being “hopelessly incompetent”.

Kissoon has been whipped from all ends for his seemingly wild statement. Opposition Leader Bharrat Jagdeo denounced Kissoon’s attacks and called on him to issue an immediate apology.

Dr Allan Outridge of the People’s Republic of China in a letter stated that “Mr Kissoon: I do not know you, I have never met you, and I certainly have no intentions of meeting you either; but your article is provocatively scandalous, vindictive, infantile, vulgar, middling, and laced with grammatically incorrect paragraphs of untruth,” adding that Cuba’s health and education systems are the island’s most prized assets and are often used as models for other countries around the world, including Guyana.

He added that to the Cuban Government, on behalf of China, and “in part from the Guyana Government (they, too, should be offering an apology), please do not hold us responsible for such a blasphemous review of your programme, as it was simply conscripted by an attention-seeking man.”

Meanwhile, General Secretary of the People’s Progressive Party (PPP), Clement Rohee, had expressed concerns that the medical sector is being neglected by the current Administration in the wake of its silence against the attack and the delay in the placement of 92 trained Guyanese doctors who have been waiting since last year for their post to the public service.

Rohee said the situation is unpleasant and reflects the incompetence of the coalition Administration in the management of the country.

After numerous criticisms on Government’s apparent silence, the Health Ministry’s statement on Tuesday said that the Government stands by “our local and foreign trained doctors whose dedication and commitment have become the backbone of our health system over the past 40 years. Cuba has been Guyana’s longest and strongest ally in our effort to train doctors, particularly during the period when other countries had ostracised us due to ideological differences.”

It stated that the doctors work tirelessly to save lives, treat the sick and counsel patients. “This is often done under less than ideal conditions. Some put their own life at risk and have even broken limbs in their efforts to take health services over the most challenging terrains to some of the remotest villages in Guyana. For this, they should be commended and not condemned,” it added.

The statement stressed that the Ministry looks forward to the continued collaboration with Cuba to train scholars.