A UNION has taken issue with the recent hires and reported royal treatment of Cuban physicians by the Public Hospitals Authority, according to a statement released over the weekend.
The Bahamas Doctors Union (BDU) expressed concern by the move to recruit outside of a pool of existing qualified Bahamian physicians.
The union also alleged that accommodations have already been secured for the expat physicians in gated communities and private condos in contrast to Bahamian doctors in Cuba having to live in a facility with rats and roaches.
Officials at the PHA could not be reached up to press time yesterday concerning the allegations.
“There are many Bahamian doctors who are qualified to practice their profession in their country, but are being denied the opportunity to do so by the powers that be,” the union said.
“It cannot be right for Bahamian professionals to be treated as second class citizens in their own country at the expense of foreign doctors who we have no knowledge of or connection with. This in and of itself is unacceptable and the union will not sit idly by and allow our Bahamian brothers and sisters to be marginalised and disrespected.”
Two weeks ago, PHA Managing Director Herbert Brown confirmed that six specialist Cuban doctors arrived in the Bahamas amid concerns about shortages in certain specialist areas.
Bringing in specialist doctors is “nothing new” Mr Brown said at the time, adding that doctors from India, Jamaica, Philippines and other countries have often come to provide medical services.
The Cuban doctors reportedly specialise in radiology and were said to be accompanied by 13 biomedical engineers. More medical professionals from Cuba were expected to come to the country by the end of February, Mr Brown said.
He was also previously reported as saying the PHA would continue to look to fill whatever deficit of personnel exists within the Bahamian healthcare system. Mr Brown said officials would look outside the Bahamas for medical expertise if it could not be found locally.
ACN, the Cuban news agency, recently reported the continuation of medical co-operation with the Bahamas after the conclusion of “Operation Miracle” almost a decade ago.
According to the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the physicians will offer their services in different Bahamian public hospitals, mainly in Nassau and Freeport, Grand Bahama.
The Cuban medical staff was welcomed at the Lynden Pindling International Airport on February 16 by the Cuban ambassador to the Bahamas Ismara Vargas, as well as other members of the Cuban diplomatic mission and PHA executives.
On December 21, 2015, Cuba and the Bahamas signed a health co-operation agreement in Nassau, which materialised with the arrival of the first physicians, the Cuban news agency reported.
The union, on Saturday however, demanded that officials answer a number of questions.
“What are the requirements these foreign doctors have to meet for them to be employed? What knowledge, qualification and training do they have to practise medicine? Have they met the requirements of the Medical Council to be considered to practise in the Bahamas? Have they received the requisite license to practise and if so who issued them?
The union added: “Who made the decision to engage the services of these foreign doctors? Why are Bahamians trained in Cuba being victimised and not given the opportunity to work as physicians? Meanwhile, Cubans with identical qualifications are given carte blanche to practise medicine in The Bahamas.”
The union said its primary concern is the quality of healthcare offered to Bahamians.
By LAMECH JOHNSON
Tribune Staff Reporter
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