SEVENTY Cuban-trained Guyanese doctors graduated yesterday with the Degree in Medicine in the first Convocation of Cuban-trained Guyanese doctors held at the International Convention Centre at Liliendaal, Greater Georgetown.

The now graduated doctors wore their white robes with pride as they were issued their certificates by His Excellency President Donald Ramotar; Prime Minister Sam Hinds; Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, His Excelllency Raul Gortazor Marrero; and Health Minister Dr Bheri Ramsarran. The batch had spent between five and seven years studying the various fields of medicine in Cuba; and now that they have completed their various courses, they have become certified doctors.
Delivering the feature address at the convocation ceremony was His Excellency President Donald Ramotar, who noted that the most important factor for development is the quality of people that a country has and produces.
“If you look at countries around the world and the countries that are developing the fastest, you would note that they have a highly educated population and work force,” the Head of State expressed. He said that Guyana is one of few countries in the region that spends more than 30% of its budget on the social sector, and he noted that that is a deliberate Government tactic because that’s the area that would most affect the lives of individuals.
Making reference to the booming housing sector, the President
said that in building our economy, we need to have a healthy work force. He said people need to live longer and have more productive lives. He told the students that he not only looks forward for them to cure persons, but also to prevent persons from getting sick as well.
He urged the graduands to become examples and role models, especially to young people. “If you young doctors can be an example and be a role model to other young people by letting them know what harm they do to themselves when they do drugs and take in excessive alcohol, it will make a huge difference in society,” he noted.
President Ramotar congratulated the doctors on their achievements, and encouraged them not to settle for what they have now, but to continue to study and learn more about their practice. He asked them not to be scared if they are sent to a remote area to offer their services, but to remember that they are here to serve, and everyone is equal and deserves to be treated equally.
Also charging the students was Cuban Ambassador to Guyana, His Excellency Raul Gortazor Marrero, who said it was a proud moment for all concerned, and he was pleased to see the batch of 70 students graduating.
The ambassador told the students to keep abreast of the latest developments in the world of medicine and technology, because the two go hand in hand.
He also noted that the graduands are part of a new generation, and they are back in their home country to develop the local health sector and build the country’s economy as well.
Health Minister Dr. Bheri Ramsaran told the students that the relationship the Cuban and Guyana Governments now share came out of a three-day meeting in February 2006 while they were discussing how to improve Guyana’s health sector. He said the Cuban Government agreed to grant 500 students scholarships to be trained at the Cuban School of Medicine and the Latin America School of Medicine.
Dr Ramsaran said the Health Ministry would be paying close attention to the graduate doctors, helping them to resettle in their country. He also told them that they should offer advice to other batches of young people who will commence their training soon.
Outlining to the gathering the hardships that the students had endured was teaching Director of the Cuban Medical Brigade in Guyana, Dr. Manuel Osorio, who said this batch of graduands represented the largest number of young people to have graduated since the scholarships were granted.
He said that 60 percent of the batch of 70 graduates graduated with the bachelors Degree in Medicine, while 25% graduated with certificates in all branches of medicine.
He thanked the parents present for continuously supporting their children, noting that while the graduands were over in Cuba, they really needed the support of their family members, not only financially, but emotionally as well.
The Cuban scholarship programme, which is the biggest success story of the Guyana-Cuba relations, dates back to a state visit by Guyana’s former President Bharrat Jagdeo to Cuba, where he met then leader of the island’s government, Fidel Castro, and secured  the scholarship programme to the Spanish-speaking island, retinal surgery for Guyanese patients, and four diagnostic and treatment facilities.
Cuba also provided financing for Guyana’s National Ophthalmology Hospital, a major accomplishment in the health sector at Port Mourant, Berbice; and seconded specialised staff, including doctors, nurses, pharmacists, administrators and bio-medical technicians to operate the facility until the return of Guyanese medical students.
Last October, President Donald Ramotar visited Cuba, where the bilateral programme of cooperation was further advanced with the signing of agreements on the exemption of visa requirements for holders of diplomatic, official and service passports; and where proposals were discussed for further agreements were further cooperation in the areas of sports and health.