Cuba first to send doctors to help shortage in Pacific

Island of Kiribati to get 32 doctors

Cuba has become the first country to help the Pacific island of Kiribati solve a long-standing shortage of qualified doctors.

Former public health director, Dr. Airam Meetai, says Kiribati's number one medical problem has been the lack of doctors to cope with a growing young population.

The retired medical doctor, who is now heading a newly established Cuba-Kiribati cooperation committee, says a two-year programme will eventually see a total of 32 doctors from Cuba working in Kiribati.

The first ten doctors are working at the central hospital in the capital, Tarawa, and the committee expects the second group of doctors to arrive later this year.

http://www.radionz.co.nz/news/bulletins/rnzi/200609061526/cuba_sends_doctors_to_help_shortage_in_kiribati