Doctors trained in Cuba to remain unregistered

Doctors trained in Cuba to remain unregistered
Wednesday December 17 2008
by Deborah Browne Wills

The Antigua Sun has learned that seven doctors trained in Cuba will not
be registered to practise in Antigua.

Some of the doctors have waited over a year for a decision on the matter.

The doctors were notified that response letters were being despatched
sometime ago. They were also informed that the contents of the letters
would not be favourable.

However, they are yet to confirm this because the response letters have
been allegedly caught up in the Ministry of Health bureaucratic machinery.

Medical Registration Board (MRB) Chairman Dr. David Dorset explained to
the SUN that based on a review of the applications, the MRB was not
satisfied that the doctors were entitled to be registered in Antigua
under the Medical Act.

"The law in Antigua is if you are registered in another country or you
provide evidence that you are entitled to be registered elsewhere this
gives you a foot in the door." Dorset informed.

Dorset further stated that there was absolutely no evidence to support
(the claim) that the doctors were registered in Cuba or entitled to be
registered in Cuba.

Possession of a medical degree is not sufficient to qualify a person to
be registered. The common practice is that after attaining a medical
degree, there is a period of internship and this is usually complemented
with a licensed exam.

The issue with registration lies in the efficient practice of medicine.
The MRB has to be satisfied that those registered are able to practise
medicine by themselves.

"In order for the applicants to have attained that level, they would
have had to have additional years of post-diploma training," Dorset said.

Dorset, who was appointed MRB chairman in October, following a series of
complaints from the doctors said the legitimacy of the doctors' diplomas
was not being questioned. "We want to be very clear on this. We just
want to ensure that the requirements of the law are being satisfied. We
have a duty to the public and doctors have to be up to speed."

Darren Ephraim, spokesperson for the group of doctors told the SUN that
Dorset's explanation makes no sense.

"In March, they registered two doctors who trained in Cuba and graduated
with the exact same qualifications (as the doctors currently seeking
registration)." he said.

He advised fellow doctors to seek legal counsel.

http://www.antiguasun.com/paper/?as=view&sun=303445126712172008&an=130818128612172008&ac=Local