VRA sees no point in arrival of Cuban doctors

The Association of RGD Physicians (VRA) does not welcome the arrival of Cuban doctors who will be deployed at the Regional Health Service (RGD). The association has not been officially informed that foreign doctors will be employed by the RGD.

The VRA pointed out that it learned about the arrival of the Cuban doctors through the media. It believes that this action has been poorly considered. The VRA indicated that it has not noticed any shortage of doctors within the RGD. The association also is not aware that any research has been carried out into this issue. On the contrary, the association reports that there are currently large numbers of deputy physician, interns and pre-clinical students.

The association is of the opinion that the deployment of foreign doctors at the RGD locations will in fact increase the workload. The VRA expressed concern about the way prescriptions are handed out by the foreign doctors. The association has noticed that when prescribing medicines, the doctors repeatedly make serious mistakes that can be fatal to patients. Another issue is that foreign doctors are not used to the workload. Their pace of work is very slow, which means an extended waiting period. This causes irritation for the clients and unnecessary overburdening of Surinamese doctors. Because of interpretation of both parties medical feedback is also problematic, with all said all of the above makes it very difficult to work together with their colleagues while dealing with the consequences. “We are aware that the Association of Medical Practitioners in Suriname (VMS) has been formally informed and we are also aware of its response. We of the VRA hereby emphasize that we fully support the views of the VMS in this regard. We make an urgent request to you to reconsider the employment of this group of doctors,” said the VRA.