Transport lodged as security for doctor who did come back to country not returned after nearly a year

Dear Editor,

With respect to the doctors who have studied in Cuba and have since returned to practise here, mainly to fulfil contractual obligations, if and when any of them have to leave Guyana, even if it is to go to neighbouring Suriname, they have to go through the process of getting a release from the Ministry of Health or the Public Service Ministry.  These doctors have to lodge security before such a release can be granted or even considered. Now I do agree that if the government has paid for your education then you owe a duty to serve some time to compensate for the cost of your education. What is of concern is the processing of these releases and in one particular case the return of the security pledged.

I speak purely from experience and it is with disgust that I have to acknowledge that I pledged my transport in March 2013 to facilitate one such doctor travelling to Canada, and she has returned and submitted her letter of resumption, which she had to struggle to get from Dr Vishwa Mahadeo or the Medical Superintendent, Dr V Sharma. Yet I have still not received my transport. It is almost a year since this doctor returned to Guyana and the person or persons responsible have not yet processed the documents to have that transport returned to me.

Why are these young doctors treated like doormats? Don’t they deserve more respect than what they are getting?

I wish to suggest to the Minister that this attitude be adjusted immediately and the young doctors be given their due respect. I need my transport.

Yours faithfully,

Charrandass Persaud

 Editor’s note

We are sending a copy of this letter to Dr Vishwa Mahadeo, Chief Executive Officer of the Berbice Regional Health Authority, for any comment he might wish to make.