Cuban-trained doctor lashes Dr. Emanuel; calls for resignation

Dr. Emanuel

Local medical doctor Albert Severin has given a serious tongue-lashing to Dr Victor Emanuel over statements he made on a local talk show regarding doctors who studied in Cuba.

Dr. Emanuel, who was speaking on Kairi FM’s Heng program on Monday morning, made it fundamentally clear that he was speaking in his private capacity, when he criticised some doctors who studied in Cuba.

He indicated that some of these doctors did not meet the necessary criteria when they were selected to study in that country. He explained that some were selected by a political process, at the whims and fancies of parliamentarians.

But Dr. Severin – a Cuban graduate – took offence at Dr. Emanuel’s statement.

In a damning statement issued this week, Dr Severin said “such inflammatory and irresponmsbile statement from a so-called professional and the president of the Dominica Medical Association I consider to be a personal and direct attack on the credibility of Cuban graduates and an indirect attack on the Cuban medical institution and the Cuban health systems”.

Dr. Severin explained in his letter that presently Cuba’s health care system, internationally, is considered to be among one of the best in the world and their medical institution is ranked #10 by the World Health Organization.

“This statement clearly demonstrates a level of viciousness and irresponsibility and leaves me to wonder how such a professional is fit to represent professionals at that level,” he said.

He said Dr. Emanuel has only created a level of division, friction and institution segregation among the professionals and has also directly indicated to Cuban graduates that they are not qualified to be members of the medical body.

“What Dr. Emanuel fails to understand is that medicine is a process and a very demanding profession and no one becomes a god doctor overnight, especially when one just returns from university in whatever field. Time is required for that individual to formulate themselves,” he added.

He concluded by saying that he doesn’t think Dr. Emanuel is merited to be given the responsibility to function … and that he should resign forthwith.

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55 Comments

  1. November 25, 2016

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  2. Mark France
    September 11, 2013

    Well it is with utmost shame that myself a young cuban trained guyanese doctor is reading that such a highly qualified and moreso a funcioning delegate in a caribbean country’s health system would make such rabid statements against a particular group of doctors and as such against a country’s medical system reverred in Latin America and the world. Remember Rome was not built in a day and as such neither can any medical system improve overnight. What is more troublesome is that your young doctors are not receiving ur help and guidance in this the important transicional phase….I do hope my government does not make such a blunder because we are 300 strong and to mess with the spartans……..well all know the history….I would just like to say to my fellow cuban graduates to go out there sharing what we have learnt and as we know from cuba sharing not the extra what we have but from the poco that we have….will the developed countries? USA, CANADA,Britain ever offer us scholarships like cuba and venezuela and in such numbers? Let those answers be given by the Dominican and Caribbean people!!!Now its just for us to go out and prove the naysayers wrong…not only in your country but in the caribbean and the world….Gracias Chavez and Hasta la victoria siempre!!!!!!

  3. rolance royer
    June 15, 2011

    This form of discrimination will continue as long as there are some who consider themselves superior to others.Even in the legal profession the English trained lawyers were questioning the competence of the lawyers trained at the Sir Hugh Wooding law school.Incidentally, where was Dr Emmanuel trained.It makes no difference how many CXC,s one has Bill Lear the inventor of the famous LEAR jet and Henry Ford who gave us the FORD Motor car never even had a High School Education,but they had DRIVE and AMBITION

  4. hasta la victoria
    June 11, 2011

    Its amazing how ignorant the majority of you who oppose the cuban graduates are.Before i went to Cuba to study Dr. Emmanuel was my primary care physician so i am in a position to judge but will refrain from doing so out of respect. I can also comment about some of the medical inaccuracies in his “Health Talk Articles” but I must commend him for doing a good job about educating the public about health issues.
    I do disagree with him and many of you Dominicans on the CUBAN DOCTORS issue. First of all I work at a very reputable health institution in the UNITED STATES. I did the USMLE board exmas just like the american trained doctors, the doctors from the offshore medical schools like ROSS, those for UWI, India, Europe or wherever. I proceeded to apply for a residency position like everybody else, got in excess of 10 interviews, and got into a residency program. As of july 2010 i was made CHIEF RESIDENT among 24 residents from the united states medical schools and around the world. All this with a good salary and NO LOAN. I finished residency on Tuesday of this week and I am now a SPECIALIST in the UNITED STATES with 2 certificates, one for residency and one for being chief resident. I have already signed a contract with an IVY LEAGUE medical school where i will work at their hospital, lecture to their medical students and residents and do a FELLOWSHIP(sub-specialty(with a 3rd certificate from an ivy league institution.
    AND YOU KNOW WHAT? I WAS NEVER ONCE SINGLED OUT AS A CUBAN GRADUATE, MY CUBAN DEGREE WAS NEVER IN QUESTION. ALL MY DOCUMENTS SAY MD LIKE MOST OTHER DOCTORS’. For your information muslim_alw, i have worked and will work with scores of cubans, muslims and arabs and they are treated as equals in my experience.
    During my tenure as chief resident I was a member of the residency training committee and had the opportunity to review applications from over 800 hundred american and foreign doctors and i must say that i was proud to find out that my scores and those of my fellow cuban grads here were higher or at least on par with even the top candidates. Bare in mind that my institution will not interview candidates with scores of less than 90 in each exam.
    This is just my story. My wife, a cuban graduate herself has done residency and runs a private clinic in the UNITED STATES where she see on average 30 americans a day and the numbers are increasing. My brother, a cuban graduate himself, was just asked to be chief resident as his institution. Dr. Michael Lawrence, a cuban graduate is the director of an institution in the US. NONI TROTTER is now a specialist in Pediatrics and will do a fellowship Emergency Pediatrics at Baystate Hospital of the reputable Tufts University Massachusettes come July.
    On the other hand I know many UWI and ROSS UNIVERSITY GRADUATES who have tried repeatedly to get into hospitals here and have failed to do so. I am not saying that there are not those who get in. One of my juniors is ROSS trained and dominican and she is A-CLASS.
    SO PEOPLE GET YOUR FACTS RIGHT. WE CUBAN GRADS HAVE NO PROBLEM GETTING INTO AMERICAN HOSPITALS. THOSE WHO STAYED BACK WANT TO STAY BACK. AND THEY ALL HAVE BEEN ASKING US TO COME BACK TO CONTRIBUTE AND THAT IS INCLUDING THE CURRENT MINISTER OF THE ENVIRONMENT.
    We all hope to go back home but with all this NEGATIVE energy down there and with our businesses booming up here I may be better off working to guarantee that my kids, neices and nephews dont have to go to CUBA to study.

    I THANK EDISON JAMES, MR. ALEXANDER AND THE UWP FOR MAKING HAPPEN FOR ME AND MY FAMILY(i would prbably be fishing still for a living).I COMMEND MR. SKERRIT AND THE DLP FOR MAKING IT HAPPEN FOR OTHERS.

    • Carl Farin
      April 13, 2012

      Ok Dr. Shilling ford, but one thing you shouldn’t have mentioned people name, especially when you did not mention your own brother name nor that of your wife.

      I do agree that many Cuban Grads are positively contributing home and in the Diaspora but there still are a lot of loop holes that needs to be filled especially with the screening process of potential applicants.

      We had fun and we were wild in Cuba but now as professionals, our attitude and mannerism MUST change. It should reflect the intelligence and education that we aquirred en Cuba.
      Although the majority of us went to college and had the necessary grades to conquier our relative carriers but every single one of us got the opportunity by some political affiliation means.

      I am happy for your success and that of every Dominican that is contributing to the overal positive empact on the lives of our people, and I do pray fore specially fo the succes of every Cuban Grad…….. We endured and we will make it.

      ……….. Venceremos

  5. Just Me
    June 11, 2011

    Disappointing is less powerful than the terminology I would prefer to utilize to express my rejection of the comments by Dr. Emmanuel and the supporting cast. The power of research is what pushes one to advance in any particular field. And the research will show that Cuban doctors are in the rank of the best trained in the world. Cuba has done a marvelous job of producing remarkable doctors who are currently serving the African Continent, Latin America, and the Caribbean with remarkable results.

    For example, I was suffering from a pain in my chest area for years, and I was told by my doctor here in New York City that I was suffering from Acid Reflux Disease, and was given Nexium. I visited Dominica and had a conversation with Dr. Albert Severin – and this posting is not just because we are friends and grew up together, or about Albert in particular, but about Cuban trained doctors- Albert told me that I was afflicted by a virus called Helicobacter pylori (H-pylori), and recommended a powerful dose of antibiotics. When I traveled back to NYC, I went to see my doctor who again recommended the Nexium, but I told him what my doctor friend had told me. He sent me for an upper GI, found the same virus Albert had immediately diagnosed, and recommended the same medication: antibiotics. I was so proud of Albert; here it was a doctor who had studied at Columbia University, and it took a Cuban graduate to diagnose my condition. If it had not been for that doctor who studied in Cuba, I do not know what the outcome could have been.

    This is not to suggest that there are no incompetent doctors who were trained in Cuba, just as I would like to suggest that there may be incompetent doctors trained here in the US, at Ross in Dominica, and around the world. We all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God; no one is perfect, and as a professional, Dr. Emmanuel should be cautious about generalized statements, because one can associate his comment to students at Ross and every off-sure medical institution in the same manner that some established medical institutions here in the US are criticizing off- shore medical schools, and that would be patently unfair. But what is interesting is that for years we have heard the attacks leveled against Cuban trained doctors and consequently, many of them ran from Dominica because their own country rejected them; yet, a significant number of them became successful medical practitioners here in the United States.

    Dr. Emmanuel’s argument holds a similar logic to the opposition President Obama faces, because the president in some people’s minds, was not cut from the cloth that is thought to be conventional and presidential no matter how successful he has been.

    For better or for worst, the links below could, it is hoped could help to educate Dr. Emmanuel and many others in the Caribbean. Of course, there are varying opinions on the WEB; the research can readily be conducted.

    http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/713464
    (Dr. Emmanuel, please copy the link above and paste it in your browser)

    http://havanajournal.com/culture/entry/california-approves-cuban-medical-school-graduates-for-practice/

    (Very Interesting news from California)

    http://theglobalrealm.com/2011/05/30/the-cuban-revolutionary-doctor-the-ultimate-weapon-of-solidarity/

    (The above link is the real fear: That poor people’s children can reach to the top just like Obama.)

    http://www.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/04/cuban-health-lessons/

  6. praying
    June 11, 2011

    By now Dr.Emmanuel should apologize to everyone for the things he said. Maybe everybody misinterpreted what he said????

    Right now there must be uncertainty all over the place and people’s trust in the professionals are dwindling……I think that Dr. Emmanuel and/or the Medical Association should make an apology for what was said.
    Let’s show appreciation to all those who are trying their best at PMH and the health centres around Dominica.

  7. buwo
    June 10, 2011

    So nuff people jumping down Dr. Emmanuel’s throat but he has a point. I know someone studying to be a doctor in Cuba right now who doesn’t have more than 4 CXC. I know that for sure because I know that person. He got to go and study because his father is a poto labor and the father was being ‘rewarded’ for his hard work during the election.

    I know students studying in Venezuela right now who one have to wonder how the heck they got into college.

    Now I am not saying some of this is wrong. I am glad these students got the opportunity to go study but the selection process is way to political. To much these young people go to study because of political affiliations while many stayed behind due to the same reason. I know this for a fact. I have experienced it.

    Dr. Emmanuel is right.

    And yes Cuba has an excellent health system, no doubt about that. Dr.Emmanuel is not disputing that.

    • Anonymous
      April 13, 2012

      I agree with you. Some of the people who get to go study medicine in Cuba/venezuela are qualified and disciplined while others are not. In the same respect, of those who graduate from medical school some will be ambitious and will excel while others will never aspire to better themselves. I have to say though, that the majority who do get these opportunities did so by political affiliation or friends in government…and that is the fact and admittedly is a sad one>>> there should be a more rigourous selection process.
      BTW…comments that list second and third party’s names should not be posted…some persons write about other persons without their permission and that may spell problems for the blogger as well as for Dca news.

  8. salsa
    June 10, 2011

    Just to add my two cents. None of you were there when Dr. Paul, Ricketts and the like were fresh young doctors. None of you kno wwhat errors they made before becoming the great doctors they are today. One only needs to look at Mystery diagnosis and Untold stories of the E.R to see that even in the USA sometimes people go years undiagnosed and sometimes doctors dont know what to do. Let’s talk about all these consults earning thousands in their office while the same junior cuban grads toil on the wards without the supervisory support they need. They work hard under these same doctors who crying them down now.

    I am a cuban grad…and let me tell you this is disheartening. You come back home hoping to make a difference, but all you get is negativity, and if you make a mistake it is blamed on studying in Cuba..as if no other doctor from any other university in the world makes mistakes.

    My feeling is that all cuban grads should try their best and LEAVE here…its one thing to do more work and get less pay…but to face the verbal kicks every day and ingratitude of the public and superiors alike…IT’S NOT WORTH IT!

  9. La Pay
    June 10, 2011

    Ok, I think we have all jumped the gun here. First of all, Dr. Emanuel should have been very careful in making this statement. I do not think he wanted to generalize and he should not. We must also be mindful that some scholars were awarded the opportunity based on political affiliation. That does not mean they cannot become good dotors.

    On the other hand, we cannot wait for an opportunity to call for hanging someone from a tree. If it is a war of words then let it remain that. We are to quick to call for resignation and to attack people personally. Dr. Severin, I did not hear him mention your name. There are other cuban trained doctors who seem more professional in that they did not dignify that with an answer. You should do the same.

  10. LOL
    June 10, 2011

    DOC VICTOR DO YOUR LITTLE HEALTH TALKS AND CLIPPING ON THE MEDIA OK TO GAIN POPULARITY,POOR THING PRIVATE OFFICE BUSINESS GOING DOWN,DOMINICANS BROKES IS HEALTH CENTERS THEY HAVE TO FLOCK ON THE ONE LITTLE CUBAN GRAD DOCTOR THAT IS THERE TO SERVE THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE,SO CHECK YOUR LITTLE VIBES SEE IF SOMETHING WORK FOR YOU.

  11. disgusted
    June 10, 2011

    I TOTALLY AGREE WITH DR.SEVERIN THIS MAN IS DISRESPECTFUL TO THE PROFESSION AND EMMANUEL SHOULD RESIGN AND GO BACK A YARD(ANTIGUA).YES WE HAVE MORE DOCTORS TO DEAL WITH OUR POPULATION NOW BECAUSE OF CUBA EMMANUEL AND YES YOUR PRIVATE OFFICE STAYS EMPTY ALL DAY THRU NO FAULT OF THE CUBAN GRADS SIR.MY SUGGESTION TO YOU IS TO GO BACK TO YOUR HOMELAND WHERE YOU BELONG,TALK ABOUT YOUR PEOPLE THAT WAY,LEAVE DOMINICANS ALONE.
    AND YEA RESIGN SIR CAUSE THE MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, GUESS WHAT MOST OF THE DOCTORS ARE CUBAN GRADS.HAHAHA

  12. shatta
    June 10, 2011

    Shatta but wat d blood clat I hearing dere ner,how much sick people it hve doctors fighting among dem selves,doctors need to come together sick advice,two head are always better than one,well not in the case of bath estate

    • lmao
      June 10, 2011

      lmFao boy u like trouble eh, u and ur bath estate, i knew it was coming rotf

    • babes
      June 10, 2011

      am enlighten me on bath estate? dno is my night cocoa tea

  13. nany
    June 10, 2011

    well if emmanuel was so good he himself would be further in the medical field. i feel ashamed of the so called uwi graduates i know they are no better than those cuban trained.the hospital is in a mess because of the so called specialists whom lack what it takes to do justice to the medical proffession.i know of countless cuban trained with A levels who could have made it to uwi and beyound, please emmanuel do your research before you chat. i aggre with severin you should resign, you are a shame to the medical profession

  14. Jude Nicholas
    June 10, 2011

    Why is Severin Mc Kensie, Dr. Dublin, Dr John Toussaint, Dr Martin, Dr Sabin, allthese cuban trained graduates silent on this issue? What about Llyod Pascal?

    This is not an attack on Cuban trained Doctors only but on the whole cuban education system and our many cuban graduates.

  15. hey
    June 10, 2011

    Very informative article.
    DNO please check your spelling. This is the first time this has happened and I’m shocked actually.

    Don’t let that happen again

  16. LMAO
    June 10, 2011

    @Donald Tusk you said and I quote “Cuban doctors not good, our old doctors like Dr.Paul, better than dem fellas”.

    The key word here being OLD. Any professional gets better with time….Paul was once a young inexperienced nervous doctor to.

    • salsa
      June 10, 2011

      I like when people that have sense talk. Right on!

  17. sad
    June 10, 2011

    At least those who study in Cuba do not copy like those who study in the states. Also the programme is better in my opinion. Ask the CIA.

  18. yout
    June 10, 2011

    Dr. Emmanuel you was born a Doctor and you know everything COWPAWAZON WITH NO SAZON

    • salsa
      June 10, 2011

      Lmbao

  19. young lady
    June 10, 2011

    Yes why do these so called professionals cry down on young people who are trying, Dr. Severine is trying to make a name for hisself like other professionals, Noctor Emmanuel i respected your columns etc. but i have no respect for you now, would you prefer Dr. severine go in the street to sell drugs, give the new Doctors a chance they are just warming up they must know something everybody have there strengh and weakness all you To Fing fresh

  20. Honestly
    June 10, 2011

    Since this government came into power no one seems to be able to voice their concerns,all those leftist dictators takes offense.This could well be true the views of Dr.Emmanuel given the way things are done in Dominica,Cuban institutions may be one of the best for training doctors,but was there due process in selecting our students,that’s what Emmanuel is asking.

  21. NATURE GIRL
    June 10, 2011

    I agree with Dr. Severin that that was a very irresponsible comment on the part of Dr. Emmanuel. Its politically motivated in my opinion and its slanderous.

  22. A Cuban Grad.
    June 10, 2011

    im still waiting to see my post DNO. i submitted since this morning…chk ur records..

  23. fire
    June 10, 2011

    My understanding to his statement is that the selection process is preferencial. I comming from the ghetto hate to think this is why ghetto youths can not become doctors.Is that being fair.Leave the man alone severin.

  24. Really???
    June 10, 2011

    Really??? am i the only one who read Dr. Emmanuel’s statement.. What i understood from his statement was that he did not like the manner in which the individuals were “SELECTED (politically) TO STUDY IN CUBA” it has nothing to do with the Cuban doctors credibility… Allu jus think professional pple are not allowed to voice an opionion and quick to jump wen allu dont understand what the individual is trying to say gzzzzz so dont come and ask for no D@Mn resignation sttpss

    • babes
      June 10, 2011

      well he should not make generalized statements, cause the majority of us selected in my year have more than 7 subjects at cxc general level and at least 4 at a- levels, additionally we we passed our premed subjects prior to commencing. Many of us had the potential academically to study anywhere in the world, but alas financially we could not…/hence we took the opportunity that presented itself. Also in our times usually 1 scholarship was given to pursue studies at a university….and sadly it was usually some one whose parent could afford it. I was taught to grab at opportunities and make the best of them and hence I am a proud cuban graduate today. I am not too sure of the selection process, as I felt with my cxc and a level I deserved to be selected and I was. So if there are others getting political favours then Dr Emmanuel as a board member of Dominica Medical Association please meet with the politicians and try to reverse that BUT PLEASE SIR DO NOT DAMAGE OUR CREDIBILITY, THERE ARE BAD AMONG THE GOOD,,,,,,SO PLEASE DO NOT MAKE GENERALIZED STATEMENTS.

  25. anonymous
    June 10, 2011

    Who the cap fit let them wear it! Dr. Emanuel is just stating a fact many of the people who studied medicine in cuba did not have the qualifications that would have allowed them to study medicine at UWI. Dr. Emanuel was not refering to all cuban trained Doctors, I guess he flushed one of the guilty ones out.

  26. z
    June 10, 2011

    I cannot comment on Medical DR’s but in the engineering field I believe they are lacking basic knowledge I expect a basic technician should know.

  27. Faith
    June 10, 2011

    That’s my problem with people in this country, Dr. Emmanuel is very correct and for speaking the truth he is insulted. People this is the truth I commend Dr. Emmanuel for being honest and brave enough to inform us… this is a serious issue and instead of attacking the man for telling us, we should try to correct this mess…Our hospital is already ill-equipped with Meds…now the some of the doctors hardly meet the grade…I waited 24hrs for my son to be anesthetized and stitched, when a wound should be stitched within 6 hrs of an injury…All because this young lady Dr.( fresh from Cuba)decided it was a flesh wound and didn’t need stitching, When I called for another well known Dr. he almost fell over when he saw my son and immediately took him to theater he couldn’t believe that he wasn’t contacted immediately once the lady Dr. had examined my child. She just lucky I’m not a violent person because I would have slapped her for allowing my son to suffer for nothing. I know these young people worked hard for their degrees but the fact of the matter is they are just not ready. Until you get to Casualty or get admitted to hospital you won’t see the truth in this but I’m telling you it is as Dr. Emmanuel says and many persons feel the same way and will say nothing because of Politics.

  28. Truth
    June 10, 2011

    I have to agree with Dr Severin since I am a Cuban graduate (not in medicine). How ever I just want to add that there are incompetent medical professionals trained in other countries besides Cuba. I think Dr Emmanuel’s statement was a bit to broad, he cannot point fingers just at Cuban grads as if they have done some thing to him. Many brilliant students have come out of Cuba. I want to thank the Cuban government for giving the opportunity to many young people to realize their dreams with their scholarship program. I think it is bad on our part that some one would criticize Cuban grads in such a way and indirectly attack the Cuban health system and the Cuban government.
    Its just too bad Dr Emmanuel that you are seeing so many poor people children becoming professionals thanks to Cuba, Mexico, Venezuela etc , that must really hurt some of you that people with no “background” can make it in life too

  29. Peeping Tom
    June 10, 2011

    “He indicated that some of these doctors did not meet the necessary criteria when they were selected to study in that country.” This may be an accurate statement (based on certain criteria set in different parts of the world).

    “He explained that some were selected by a political process, at the whims and fancies of parliamentarians.” This, too, is maybe accurate.

    And so what?

    Judge the graduates on what they have become, not what YOU and some others believe they were before.

    You see, Dr. Emmanuel, it is positions like yours that we do not need in Dominica. Yeah, yeah, express yourself at will. That is acceptable. What is unacceptable today is the elitist approach to human development that existed before. It is an approach that even UWI, in some regards, is beginning to reject. If Dominica were to continue embracing this philosophy of “only certain beings are entitled” you would be a king in this land and many poor families would still have to hike and hitchhike to Roseau or Portsmouth for medical care, if they actually arrive.

    Never mind the established criteria of many schools in N.America, or even of UWI. Never mind your elitist and Ice Age views. Judge each Cuban graduate on what he/she delivers.

    Besides, you as president of the Medical Association can do something about the quality of their work if you are not satisfied. What are you going to do instead of moaning about the fact that they got into medical school on a different route than you? What are YOU doing about the quality of their work, Dr. Emmanuel? Ditto for Dr. Ricketts (female). I know of a lot that YOU and others who share your views can do instead of attempting to discredit the Cuban programme, which will not work.

    BTW, i am not sure why Dr. Severin seems to be the only one publicly defending the Cuban training programme.

    Not too long ago you were hitting a police officer on this medium for ticketing you because you thought that as a “gwo boug” in Roseau you should have been spared the agony and embarrassment of a ticket, unlike the other “poor malaways.” Now, this! You are showing your stripes, doctor. Keep it up!

  30. Fidelista
    June 10, 2011

    Dr.Emmanuel Respect the Cuban Docs Boy..Cuba is among the Best in Medince,so I dont Know where that opinion of Yours can Turn Into Facts..It clearly demonstrates that you are 100% bias towards the CUban Trained Doctors..But Its not their fault that you all choose to study elswhere…Will and come again..Hasta La Victoria Siempre.Vencremos..Long Live the Cuban Revolution and its People and the Chief of Command His Excellency: Fidel Castro Ruiz..

  31. 4 sure
    June 10, 2011

    Cheers Dr Severin. Emanuel needs to creep into a dark hole where such backward thinking belongs. The attack on his colleagues is insensitive and thoughtless. I hope that members of the medical association publicly admonish him. He seems to be making a political statement and should come out and face the political fire instead of hiding behind the association with his cowardice.

  32. Patat
    June 10, 2011

    I agree with Dr. Severin .

    That man get to up now a days

  33. Fred Joseph
    June 10, 2011

    Dr Emmanuel is very correct. I know some of those cuban trained doctors did not even have GCE o’
    levels. Notice that they are all stock here cannot pass any boards exam to go specialise

  34. Ace
    June 10, 2011

    Politics again!!!Those parlamentarians made it possible for these people to have a profession when no one else would have helped.The late Rosie Douglas and Pierre Charles respectively RIP made it possible for alot of students who were unable to afford college to study in places like cuba russia and lybia.As far as i know these doctors are not the ones having people die so frequently with minor ailments while under their care

  35. A Cuban Grad.
    June 10, 2011

    DR V.E. I don’t support the attack on the Cuban Med System, a system which is respected world wide. If you must know, med is very prestigious in Cuba and only the best of the best get the opportunity to become doctors. Also, I’m sure you haven’t heard anyone complain about the Cuban (born and trained)doctors that here because like i said only the best of the best, after proper screening are sent to foreign countries to represent the Cuban Med System.

    Cuba also offers Med Tourism, i have been fortunate to benefit from it and i cannot complain.

    If it is a situation where our Cuban med grads are not applying themselves, or if the local med board is not satisfied with the level of training received, they should make it mandatory that the students upon their return do an exam before they are placed at the hospitals or the community centers as it is done in countries like Barbados and Jamaica.

    Very importantly you didn’t mentioned is that the more senior doctors who are supposed to be the supervisors of the young doctors, usually leave the them all alone, while they are at their private clinics.

    I’m sure it has been brought to your attention and nothing has been done about it!

    Again, it is very shameful and disheartening to hear the criticism of the Cuban Med system and am sure there is an alternative to saying “Cuban Grads are not fit to practice in Dominica”.

    I know of non Cuban grad doctors who have given wrong diagnosis to patients – including yourself and no one says they are not fit to practice here!

    If its something personal, i suggest you deal with it accordingly otherwise you should work alongside the members of your organization to ensure that it’s credibility is maintained.

    At the end, when one doctors get a bad name all will because they are regulated under the same board.

    I am a Cuban Grad myself and i am very satisfied with the professional formation that i received during my 6 years of studies in Cuba.

    Regards,

    A Cuban Grad.

  36. john joseph
    June 10, 2011

    You have to admit the his argument is valid. As a former of the cuban system…I am of that view. However, the cuban systems prepares you prior to starting your studies.
    It is only after this initial preparation that
    that the potential student can continue.
    This Dr is still set in the ancient system of education. People like anything else are diferent hence bloom later than others…hence this cuban system caters for these individuals!

    Can we say that for our educational system in the english speaking caribbean?

    Theses allegations are solely based on greed and ignorance.
    I shall not say anymore!

  37. concern
    June 10, 2011

    i wish to differ from these statements by Dr Emmanuel. i believe the dr who study from cuba are well trained and posses the same qualification as the other docters who study other places. for example Dr cuffy is a very good doctor no offence

  38. Irresponsible
    June 10, 2011

    I too find Dr Emanuel’s words very irresponsible and that Dr. Emanuel does not merit to be given the responsibility to function … and that he should resign forthwith.

    This matter should not have been aired over the radio in the manner that is was.

  39. Donald Tusk
    June 10, 2011

    I agree with Dr.Emmanuel most of those Cuban doctors not good, our old doctors like Dr.Paul, better than dem fellas, that is why the pmh in such a state.

    • RIGHT
      June 10, 2011

      oh yes i support u 110%.why couldnt people like dR SEVERIN stand up for the wrong things doctors do,like Dr. FINGER.NONSENSE. :twisted:

    • WAY PAPA
      June 10, 2011

      tru thing
      some of them doh know wat dey doing nah

    • wantoo nomoore
      June 10, 2011

      i am making my comment based on what was read in this column. does it matter whether or not you met the requirement to study in a field.what matter is if you completed the field and came out with the degrees and honors required.

    • Just saying
      June 10, 2011

      Dearest Donald Tusk…A word to the wise It is better to be thoght of a fool than to open your mouth and remove all dobut. Whilst Dr. Paul who is a veteran and excellent doctor must be commended for his hard work and dedication by no means are the cuban trained doctors less educated than him. Mr. Tusk the cuban trained doctors and all the other doctors are working exceedingly well under adverse conditions. Can you blame them for the hospital system being so carappy? Definately No!Give me a break! Any unbiased independent thinking citizen will tell you that. So before you run your trap why dont you compliment the doctors for doing an excellent job depite the conditions they work in and yes I endorse Dr. Severin …Dr. Emmanuel you do need to resign your utterances were quite unprofessional with all due respect.

  40. fred
    June 10, 2011

    I agree with you doc. Dr Emmanuel’s utterances disolayed a high level of unprofessionalism and if my opinion was asked I would recommend to all the Cuba-trained drs to demand his resignation or resign from the association.

    • !
      June 10, 2011

      u seemed to have confused the Drs’ name.

    • fred
      June 10, 2011

      It was not a Cuba-trained dr that left the swab in my relative after she had her baby. It was one of the older heads. I am not sayinf that the Cuba-trained drs are without faults but I think you will agree that the comments coming from the president of the medical association does nothing to boost the public’s trust and confidence in our local drs. I believe he could have dealt with what ever issues he had in a more professional manner, noting that there was nothing professional about the way he chose to deal with it.

    • me
      June 10, 2011

      SO WHAT! RESIGN WHO CARES.SOME OF US CAN’T HANDLE THE TRUTH EH? ALL YOU DONT KNOW WHAT YOU ALL ARE ABOUT IN THE HOSPITAL.DR.EMMANUEL IS RIGHT POLITICS THAT HAVE SOME OF ALL YOU THERE.THE HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IS THE WORST SINCE I’VE KNOWN IT YES IS TRUE RESOURCES ARE SCARCE BUT WHAT… DO WHAT YOU ALL ARE TRAIN TO DO SERVE AND NOT TO MESS AROUND WITH PEOPLE HEALTH. SO WHO THE HELL WANTS RESIGN…..BYE.

    • hey
      June 10, 2011

      Nobody asked you now did they?

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