20th of August, 2020. Georgetown, Guyana, South America
Last updated: August 20, 2020 at 18:53 pmDear Editor,
First of all, I want to say thanks for featuring my story, “Cuban Trained Guyanese Doctor Seeks Help in Finding Employment.” Secondly, I want to say thanks to the thousands of Guyanese who wished me well and who spoke up on my behalf. And even more, I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to all those who personally reached out to me in trying to assist.
Today, I received a letter from the Medical Council of Guyana as follows.
The letter reads…
Dear Dr. Borrego Almaguer,
Please be informed that your matter was extensively discussed at the Medical Council’s meeting.
I am directed to inform you that the policy of the Council is as follows:
-non specialists coming from non accredited universities have to write the CAMC part 1 & 2 examination to enable consideration of registration.
Respectfully,
Ms. Jaunita Johnson
*End Quote*
While, I respect the decision of the Medical Council, I have a few things to say. The University of Medical Sciences of Havana, at which I completed my medical studies, is the highest institution for Medical Training in Cuba and is located in the city of Havana. The University is accredited in Europe. However, I do acknowledge that it is not accredited in the Caribbean.
What confuses me, however, is that, according the correspondence I received from the Medical Council, shown above, a specialist from the same university would quality for the registration, but a general medical practitioner would not.
Further, what I am applying for is “Institutional Registration,” not full registration. A doctor registered under institutional registration can work “under supervision” for 18 months then apply for full registration. I was told by Dr. Shamdeo Persaud that I do qualify for institutional registration.
What amazes me is that there is shortage of staff in handling the COVID-19 pandemic in Guyana, yet there is so much hesitancy in approving an institutional registration so that I can get to work in helping Guyana fight the pandemic.
At this juncture, the only thing I can do is complete the recommended step of writing the CAMC Examination and then reapply. There are two stumbling blocks to this process however. First of all, the CAMC Examinations have been temporarily suspended due the COVID-19 pandemic. That means I have to wait for the pandemic to be over before ever hoping to start working in Guyana – which is disappointing since I am excited to put my skills to use to help Guyana in the health crisis it is currently facing. Only yesterday (19th) there were 4 COVID-19 deaths and 40 new cases. On these grounds, I was wondering if it is not possible to be granted a short term registration so that I can help fight the pandemic and then, when it is over, go to Jamaica and write the CAMC exams.
The second stumbling block for me personally in writing the CAMC examination is, and I’ll be very blunt with this, I do not have the money which includes exam fees as well as airfare and accommodation to Jamaica.
Nevertheless, I will try to find a suitable job that I can fill without a medical registration and start saving money for writing the CAMC examination. I am excited more than ever to start my journey into the field of medicine in Guyana – for myself, my family and, moreover, for my country.
Once again, I thank everyone for their well wishes, support and assistance. I still harbor an inkling of hope that my position can be reconsidered given all that I have stated above.
Editor’s Note: We are still hopeful that the decision on granting Dr. Borrego Institutional Registration can be reconsidered by the Medical Council of Guyana. He can be contacted on WhatsApp: (+592) 674 4862
