Minister of Health Dr Fuad Khan says more than 200 Cuban doctors and nurses are in T&T to help reduce the shortage at the Eric Williams Medical Science Complex in Mt Hope and the San Fernando General Hospital. The specialists are scheduled to undergo an orientation programme at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Port-of-Spain, this morning. “It will have a great impact on the shortage and service given to the people of T&T. I intend to open the hospitals later and also on weekends. These doctors are going to do that,” Khan said.
He said the initiative will also be used “to prevent the haemorrhage of patients into the private sector.” He said the Intensive Care Units “will be fully manned instead of what currently exists.” Khan said that “certain doctors are going to be up in arms for me using the Cubans but I am going ahead with it. I think that’s the only way the people of T&T could be served.” Khan said the Cuban doctors are bilingual. He said two neurosurgeons will be placed at the Mt Hope Complex and one at the San Fernando General Hospital.
