Government of Antigua & Barbuda
Media Release
ST. JOHN’S, Antigua (GIS) — Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda the Hon. Gaston A. Browne who made an official trip to the Republic of Cuba last weekend has commended the Antiguan and Barbudan medical students at the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) for their excellent academic progress.
Upon arrival in Cuba on Saturday, Prime Minister Browne held a meeting with the principals of the Latin American School of Medicine (ELAM) and a group of Antigua and Barbuda students at the institution.
He commended the students for the excellent reports he received on their progress at the institution and admonished them to continue being good representatives of Antigua and Barbuda as the future of the nation’s healthcare system is heavily dependent on their success in Cuba.
“What you are doing here is a journey that will take some time to complete. You will be contributing to building the capacity of your country to improve our healthcare delivery. We need more locally qualified doctors and what you are doing here is of importance to your country and also globally as the world is in need of doctors. You can be assured that your government will give you all of the support required to ensure that you are successful in your studies.
The country’s leader received a report on the medical students’ progress from the Directors of the institution who were very high in their praise for the Antiguan and Barbudan students, pointing out that the students are among the highest achievers at the institution.
Currently Antigua and Barbuda has fifty-two medical students in the Republic of Cuba. Six students are in their final year, seven in fifth year, six in their fourth year, seven in their third year, five in their second year, ten in first year and eleven in pre-med.
Upon entering into office, the Gaston Browne administration received twelve medical scholarships (an increase of fifty percent) as a goodwill gesture from the Republic of Cuba.
Prime Minister Browne who was also in Cuba for the CARICOM Cuba Summit, was accompanied by Health and Environment Minister the Hon. Molwyn Joseph, Foreign Affairs and International Trade Minister the Hon. Charles Fernandez, Permanent Secretary Ambassador Colin Murdoch and Foreign Service Officer Janelle Matthew.