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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Cuban doctors in Solomon Islands face language problems

Cuban doctors in Solomon Islands face language problems
Posted at 07:44 on 20 October, 2009 UTC

Solomon Islands' Ministry of health says there have been some problems
with doctors sent from Cuba, but the issues are being resolved.

A review of Solomon Islands' National Referral Hospital found the
doctors, who are working in the country under an agreement between Cuba
and the Solomon Islands Government, speak little English, and can't
communicate with patients.

Dr Cedric Alependava, the under secretary for health improvement, says
the problem is being alleviated because the doctors are learning pidgin.

He says in the meantime they are unable to work after hours.

"We thought they were going to work after hours to relive some pressure
on our local doctors but because they are not working after hours there
does seem to be a little bit of complaint. But then we are more or less
utilising them on public health programmes and outreach programmes.
Pretty soon they'll be on board on after hours, because they are now
beginning to speak Pidgin and understand [how] to communicate with local
people."

Dr Cedric Alependava says a dermatologist from Cuba is expected to
arrive in Solomon Islands soon.

Cuban doctors in Solomon Islands face language problems (20 October 2009)
http://www.rnzi.com/pages/news.php?op=read&id=49791

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