Ministry seeking more specialist doctors from China

Minister of Health Dr Bheri Ramsaran says government will be requesting additional specialist doctors from China to serve in areas such as gynaecology as the country aims to achieve two Millennium Development Goals related to child mortality and maternal health.

According to a GINA report, Dr Ramsaran praised the services provided by the Chinese Medical Brigade during a meeting with a six-man delegation from Jiangsu Province, China here to evaluate the work being done by the current batch of Chinese doctors who are attached to the Linden Hospital Complex in Region 10, and the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC).

Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran (centre in background) interacting with the visiting team of doctors from  China.  (GINA photo)
Minister of Health, Dr Bheri Ramsaran (centre in background) interacting with the visiting team of doctors from China. (GINA photo)

The minister acknowledged that the current batch of doctors serving here has a good relationship with the people in the communities they serve, particularly in Linden. He further expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government for its support in specialised fields such as urology, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, plastic surgery, traditional Chinese medicine and acupuncture, and radiology.

“The impact will be a continuation of what has already been achieved by the Chinese team in the area of surgery, especially at our main referral hospital where they would be able to deal with the difficult cases that would be sent from the regional and district hospitals,” Dr Ramsaran said.

Deputy Chinese Ambassador, Li Qinfeng, said the 10th batch of doctors that arrived here last year have demonstrated their devotion and professionalism while serving.

GINA said the first protocol which allowed Chinese health personnel to practice in Guyana was signed on March 26, 1993, and based on this developing relationship, in 1997 both governments signed the protocols, and Guyana was the first Caribbean nation to receive Chinese doctors. Since then, over 120 Chinese specialist doctors have had the opportunity to work with their Guyanese counterparts.