Cuba-educated Health and Environment Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux wants to make it very clear that a Cuban-sourced education is as valuable as certification from any other country.
Minister Darroux was speaking to GIS News on the 20th anniversary of formal ties between Cuba and Dominica on Wednesday May 18th.
“I remember going to Cuba in 1997 and there was 20 of us. Last time I counted, about 15 of that group are overseas pursuing second specialities or post-graduate programmes. This myth that the Cuban medical degree is tailor-made for Cuba is something that I need to take this opportunity to dispel.
“While over the years the stigma has been dissipating slowly, there are still certain individuals here who look down on the programme. I always tell young people that if I had to do it all over again. I would do it without hesitation.”
Scores of Dominicans have earned degrees, specialised in medical fields and undergone advanced professional training in Cuba in dozens of subject areas.
Cuba is internationally renowned for its Medical Internationalism Programme.
Since the 60s, Cuban medical personnel have been sent overseas particularly to Latin America, Africa and the Tropical Pacific. Medical patients and students are also being brought to Cuba through this programme.
Cuba has more than 30,000 health personnel including no less than 19,000 physicians in 103 countries.
The island provides more medical personnel to the developing world than the seven leading industrial countries combined.