Cuban doctors in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines criticized for not speaking English.

Cuban doctors in Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) are receiving harsh criticism on social media for not speaking English, which harms effective communication between health professionals and their patients and creates a serious problem in the country's healthcare system.

The language barrier between residents and foreign doctors, mostly Cubans, has generated a wave of complaints from local patients and health professionals, who claim that the lack of understanding puts the safety and well-being of patients at risk.

Dr. C. Malcolm Grant, a recognized family physician in SVG, has highlighted this problem in a public letter, detailing his personal experience with the language barrier since his return to the country four years ago.

In one of the most alarming cases, he recounted how a pregnant patient was referred to a medical center for an ultrasound, but the doctor's report, who did not speak English, was incomprehensible and not helpful for the diagnosis.

Dr. Grant expressed his concern about the lack of translators in consultations, despite health authorities assuring that there should always be one present.

Their experience and that of other patients indicate that in most cases, non-English speaking doctors attend to patients without linguistic support, leading to misdiagnoses, inadequate treatments, and even a higher risk of death.

Cuban doctors without language training, in SVG

Grant argues that effective communication between doctor and patient is essential to ensure appropriate diagnoses and treatments.

The language barrier can lead to incorrect diagnoses, critical delays in treatments and procedures, and the underutilization or waste of limited resources, exacerbating patients' suffering.

Additionally, the lack of understanding between doctors and patients could lead to an increase in malpractice lawsuits, which would further affect public trust in the healthcare system of SVG.

Call for urgent reforms involving Cuban doctors

Dr. Grant urges the health authorities of SVG to follow the example of neighboring countries like Barbados and Trinidad and Tobago, which require that all doctors who do not speak English certify their language competency through the Professional and Linguistic Assessments Board (PLAB) exam before practicing.

In addition, it proposes that all non-English-speaking doctors already working in SVG who have been in the country for no more than six years present evidence of having passed the PLAB exam before January 1, 2025, and that the use of translators in medical consultations 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 support the fight against COVID-19.

These healthcare professionals have been essential during times of crisis, but some locals point out that the language barrier has complicated medical care.

Additionally, it has been reported that several Cuban doctors have been targeted 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 the salaries of these professionals, has been criticized for failing to guarantee safety or fair working conditions for doctors.

Despite this, the island's authorities continue to close contracts without paying attention to key details such as the language proficiency of the country where the doctors will be working.

In 2022, the Cuban leader Miguel Díaz-Canel toured several countries in the Caribbean, and one of the first destinations was Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. He visited a medical center where around twenty Cuban doctors, nurses, and technicians work.

That visit from Diaz-Canel generated a wave of comments of laughter and mockery on social media due to his poor pronunciation of English.

"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 exceeded, and to this day, memes continue to pursue him for not knowing how to speak English.