Cuban doctors in St. Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) are facing harsh criticism on social media for their inability to speak English, hampering effective communication between healthcare professionals and their patients. This language barrier poses a serious problem within the country's healthcare system.
The language divide between local residents and foreign doctors, mainly the Cubans, has sparked a wave of complaints from patients and local healthcare professionals. They claim that the lack of understanding jeopardizes patient safety and well-being. Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, a renowned family physician in SVG, highlighted this issue in a public letter, detailing his personal experience with the language barrier since his return to the country four years ago.
In one alarming case, he recounted how a pregnant patient was referred to a medical center for an ultrasound. However, the report from the non-English-speaking doctor was incomprehensible and useless for diagnosis. Dr. Grant expressed concern over the absence of translators during consultations, despite assurances from health authorities that one should always be present.
His experience, along with that of other patients, indicates that non-English-speaking doctors often attend to patients without linguistic support, leading to misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments, and even an increased risk of death.
Untrained Cuban Doctors in SVG
Grant argues that effective communication between doctor and patient is crucial for ensuring accurate diagnoses and treatments. The language barrier can result in incorrect diagnoses, critical delays in treatments and procedures, and the underutilization or wastage of limited resources, worsening patient suffering.
Moreover, the lack of understanding between doctors and patients could lead to an increase in malpractice claims, further eroding public trust in SVG's healthcare system.
Call for Urgent Reforms Involving Cuban Doctors
Dr. Grant urges SVG health authorities to follow the example of neighboring countries like Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, which require all non-English-speaking doctors to certify their language proficiency through the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam before practicing.
He also proposes that all non-English-speaking doctors already working in SVG, who have been in the country for less than six years, must provide evidence of having passed the PLAB exam by January 1, 2025. Additionally, the use of translators in medical consultations should be made mandatory.
Background of the Cuban Contingent in SVG
In 2020, a group of Cuban doctors was sent to SVG as part of the Henry Reeve International Contingent to aid in the fight against COVID-19. These healthcare professionals have been crucial during crises, but some locals point out that the language barrier has complicated medical care.
Furthermore, it has been reported that several Cuban doctors have faced attacks during their stay in SVG, reflecting the growing tension surrounding their presence and performance in the country. The Cuban government, which retains a significant portion of these professionals' salaries, has been criticized for not ensuring their safety or fair working conditions.
Despite this, the island's authorities continue to secure contracts without addressing key details such as the language proficiency required in the host country. In 2022, Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel toured several Caribbean countries, with one of his first stops being St. Vincent and the Grenadines. He visited a medical center staffed by about twenty Cuban doctors, nurses, and technicians.
Díaz-Canel's visit sparked a wave of laughter and mockery on social media due to his poor English pronunciation. "Saint Vincent and the Grenadines will always be able to count on Cuba with the solidarity and affection of the Cuban people. As José Martí said: ‘Love is paid with love’," was the linguistic challenge that Díaz-Canel notably failed, and to this day, memes about his lack of English proficiency continue to follow him.
Addressing the Language Barrier of Cuban Doctors in SVG
To delve deeper into the issue of Cuban doctors' language proficiency in St. Vincent and the Grenadines, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
Why are Cuban doctors in SVG unable to speak English?
Cuban doctors often lack English training prior to their deployment, leading to significant communication barriers with local patients and healthcare professionals.
What are the consequences of the language barrier in the healthcare system?
The language barrier can lead to misdiagnoses, inappropriate treatments, critical delays in care, and increased patient suffering. It also raises the risk of malpractice claims and erodes public trust in the healthcare system.
What solutions have been proposed to address this issue?
Proposed solutions include mandating language proficiency certification through exams like the PLAB, requiring current non-English-speaking doctors to pass such exams by a set deadline, and ensuring the presence of translators during medical consultations.