29 Feb 2008

Solomon Islands medical association says doctors trained in Cuba need to fill criteria

11:55 am on 29 February 2008

The Solomon Islands medical association says doctors trained in Cuba are great, but they will still need to meet the country's requirements to be able to practice.

25 students will attend medical training in Cuba, as part of a bilateral arrangement with the country, which has indicated its willingness to assist Solomon Islands in the health sector.

Pediatrician and the President of the Association, Dr James Auto, welcomes the move because of a severe shortage of doctors.

"We would like doctors who are well trained and well qualified, and that fulfill the criteria that is set out in the Medical and Dental Board Act. That we would not agree with something which is a political issue forced on us."

Dr James Auto says a training programme between the medical school in Fiji, and the National Referral Hospital in Honiara has just started - which should help too.