It was reported in Trinidad Express Newspapers that Trinidad and Tobago Peoples’ Partnership (PP) Cabinet is about to be reshuffled today June 25th 2011, and that new ministers are expected to be sworn in at President’s House, St Ann’s, sometime later today.
Minister of Health, Senator the Honorable Therese Baptiste- Cornelis is expected to be relieved of her portfolio.
Will Senator Cornelis, do one decent and honorable thing before leaving office?
Will Senator Cornelis please instruct the Chief Medical Officer to issue “Special Temporary Licenses” to Trinbagonian Cuba-Trained Doctors?
Senator Cornelis – These doctors are experiencing hardships, due to harsh, oppressive, and discriminatory denial of licenses to do their jobs, for as much as 1 year, by the Medical Board of Trinidad and Tobago (MBTT) that the PP appointed in Jan 2011. One of these doctors is about to lose his home due to loss of earnings!
Senator Cornelis – These are Trinbagonian Cuba-Trained Doctors who have graduated from Cuban Universities recognized by the Accreditation Council of Trinidad and Tobago before UWI was recognized. These Trinbagonian doctors speak English, Spanish and “Trini”, served 1 year internships in both Cuba and in T&T, were graded “A” on the job, and were accepted for House Officer Doctor positions by Regional Health Authorities.
Senator Cornelis – In cases of a shortage of medical practitioners, the Medical Board Act 7 of 2009 already allows “Special Temporary Licenses” to be issued by “a panel” chaired by the Chief Medical Officer at the Ministry of Health. These licenses were issued to 250 doctors from 35 countries with “Non-Traditional” Medical Schools. Some Cuban doctors have worked in T&T for as many as 5 years by “Special Temporary Licenses”. Yet Trinbagonian Doctors educated in Cuba are being denied even these “Special Temporary Licenses” while T&T is short of 275 doctors as at Dec 2010.
These are vile acts being committed against these Trinbagonian Cuba-Trained Doctors, and by extension against the people of Trinidad and Tobago who are being denied their services.
Will the new administration headed by Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar show more humanity than her previous one?
