EIGHT young Jamaicans have been awarded medical scholarships to study in Cuba for the 2016-2017 academic year, under the Cuba-Jamaica Cooperation Programme.
Cuban ambassador to Jamaica Bernardo Guanche Hernandez presented the scholarships to the awardees on June 24 at the Embassy of the Republic of Cuba in St Andrew.
In his remarks, Guanche said the programme has helped to strengthen the friendship and cooperative ties between Cuba and Jamaica over the years.
He noted that Cuban institutions have kept that programme going despite Cuba’s economic challenges.
“Cuba has also offered and continues to offer cooperation, mainly in the fields of health and education, in countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America and the Caribbean. Not only Cuban teachers have rendered their services in many developing countries, but also many students from those countries have studied and graduated, free of charge, in Cuban universities,” he added.
The ambassador congratulated the recipients of the scholarships and encouraged them to do their best.
Apart from studying medicine, Guanche said the awardees will learn the Spanish language and interact with Cubans.
In his remarks, permanent secretary in the Ministry of Health, Dr Kevin Harvey said that 300 students had applied for the scholarship programme.
He noted that the cooperation programme has not only improved the relations between Jamaica and Cuba, but has augmented the service provided in Jamaica’s health sector.
Dr Harvey pointed to many interventions and surgeries done by Cuban physicians over the years to assist Jamaicans.
“We have had this long-standing arrangement and relationship and sharing. Once we have an issue, Cuba is always there to stand by us,” he said.
Dr Harvey told the awardees that acquiring the medical skills should not only be their main focus, but they should also learn how to communicate with patients, another aspect of their training.
“One of the challenges we have now in the health sector is the limited interaction between the physician and the patient. We do not talk to our patients as much as we should and we do not provide that counselling support that the patient requires,” he said.
“Learn about the medicine, learn the drugs to be prescribed, learn how to examine, and learn how to speak to your patients,” Dr Harvey urged.
Good news! Congratulations to all 8 Recipients. Keep on keeping on, and wishing all of you the very best in life.
Congratulations to these 8 students,feeling extremely proud wish you nothing but the best as you take on yet another road of success to secure having a career in life :selamat :pertamax
Speaking as a beneficiary I swear This is an excellent programme!!congratz to the recipients plz make the most of YOUR Opp!!The Cuban ppl are very warm n loving n the women are the 2nD most beautiful on earth after Jamaican women. Carry nuff tin stuff esp bully beef,keep ur money Inna ur crotches at all times.best of luck!
Grateful :angel Cuba + Jamaica :iloveindonesia :salaman. May the Lord help them to make the most of this opportunity and protect them sed speed. Bwoy opportunity nice sah #grateful Will be praying for my Jamaican brothers and sisters, also myself lol so I can make a great difference in ppls lives.
So happy for u Yardie, glad u got the opportunity #givethanks
Muchisima Gracias mujer sincera.Que fantastico ,muy Hermosa Chancey!
De nada :kiss :peluk que tengas un gran dia
Congratulations to all…please to remember your homeland.
YardieT :maafaganwati
PhantomPhoenix, they won’t forget their homeland; the Cubans have a penchant for ensuring that their graduates give back to their respective communities–especially their doctors and engineers. This is a great look.
Imagine if we had maintained our 70s era relationship with Cuba? So many of our students would have access to free first world level collegiate level education…