Public views divided for Cuban Doctors

The Government’s proposed plan to bring in Cuban doctors into the country has divided public opinion.

Loop PNG reported last week a concerned doctor slamming the announcement by Prime Minister Peter O’Neill to bring in Cuban doctors to work in the public health sector throughout the country.

This followed Prime Minister Peter O’Neill statement that discussions to bring Cuban doctors to work in Papua New Guinea will be held in November.

Director of Medical Services of Laloki Psychiatric Hospital, Dr Ludwig Nanawar said the registration of foreign doctors is the function of the Medical Board of PNG, governed by the Medical Registrations Act and not politicians and their bureaucrats.   

Many of our readers questioned the intention of the Prime Minister saying bringing in Cuban doctors is a short term measure, and the national government must put more money into training more doctors to serve the rural areas.

While others stated that the decision will help improve the doctors to patients’ ratio and improve health care in the country.          

These are some of Loop PNG readers’ opinions;

Henrietta Margrette Nagaleta questioned, “Why bring in Cuban doctors? And what about our own doctors, what will become of them?”

Rachael Towartovo stated that, “We need the Cuban doctors to be out in the rural health establishments not the city/ Provincial hospitals collecting pay cheques and attending the minority only.”

Another reader stated that: “Hiring foreign Doctors to come work in PNG hospitals is a best idea because of the need we have for more doctors to serve the rapidly growing population. And also those doctors hired will bring them with their wealth of experience from some the best operating hospitals to treat and educate our national doctors.”

And another reader stated that “I see this as a band aid approach to alleviating our health issues. It will increase health expenditure. Right now there's financial scarcity everywhere even in the Health sector.”

Author: 
Charles Yapumi