EYE DOCTOR FOLLOWS HIS HEART, LOSES HIS COUNTRY


CUBAN Ophthalmologist Dr. Pedro Suarez with his Vincentian bride Dr. Rowena Derrick.
Staff Reporter 02.FEB.07
The circumstances surrounding the non-renewal of a popular Cuban eye-surgeon's contract read almost like a James Bond thriller as there are aspects of suspense, intrigue, high-level diplomacy and of course romance.

When Dr. Pedro Suarez' contract as Consultant Ophthalmologist at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital came to an end last week, it was not renewed. This was confirmed by Minister of Health Dr. Douglas Slater.

Dr. Slater explained that according to the terms of the technical assistance agreement signed between the Governments of Cuba and St. Vincent and the Grenadines, if any member of the Cuban technical assistance team assigned to St. Vincent and the Grenadines does not return to Cuba, he would be deemed to have defected. The Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines agreed that should that happen, they would not employ the person, as this would be seen as a hostile diplomatic act.

Suarez, who is also a Searchlight columnist, recently wed Vincentian sweetheart Dr. Rowena Derrick, who confirmed to Searchlight that she and her husband would not be returning to Cuba as he "hopes to be at his wife's side." Derrick said that it would not be feasible for them to live in Cuba as it would be difficult for her to get a job there.

Slater said that the consequences of Suarez action were explained to him prior to the December 14, 2006 marriage. The health minister said that were the Government of St. Vincent and the Grenadines to retain Suarez in their employ, they would run the risk that Cuba would withdraw its substantial technical assistance to this country. "We need to show respect for the agreement signed between the two nations," said the Minister.

Dr. Slater explained that the Cuban government does not prohibit Cuban technical staff members from marrying Vincentians they meet while working here, but explained that there is a procedure that needs to be followed. "He should have returned to Cuba then applied for permission to migrate to St. Vincent." This he said was done by a Cuban nurse who returned to Cuba, applied for permission, then subsequently married a Vincentian man. That couple lives in St. Vincent at present. She is employed with the Government as a nurse at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital.

The Health Minister was however quick to point out that as a Vincentian, Dr. Suarez could open private practice here and stressed that "there is no bad blood between Dr. Suarez and the Government." Speaking to Searchlight from their home, the new Mrs. Suarez confirmed this. "He is not angry with anyone. Right now, he is taking some vacation and relaxing for a while. He worked very hard over the last two years."

Excitement still evident in her voice, Suarez' bride revealed that the couple

spent the first part of their honeymoon in London and declared that the honeymoon is "still on."

Dr. Derrick, a Cuba-trained Anesthesiologist returned from Cuba in 2002, and since then has been employed at the Milton Cato Memorial Hospital, her husband's former workplace.

Dr. Slater has given the assurance that active negotiations are ongoing to find a replacement ophthalmologist from Cuba,

and one would soon be put in place at the hospital.

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http://vincypowa.com/

http://vincypowaent.com/

interesting..but that is bullshit though!

Yeah boy that Vincy pum pum sweeten he so much he say fukk Cuba and its policies eh!

Love conquers all. Anyway, best wishes to the newlyweds and
here's to the doctor from Cuba who will somewhere earn more
than the pennies per day paid in Cuba.

VINCYPOWA!

I watching the photo.

I seeing Leather Coat.

I seeing a Big Clock in the background like Big Ben.

So what's THE REST OF THIS STORY??????????

very interesting

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I would like to Thank all the fake haitians, who came out during the west-indian parade, but who has no roots to Haiti island ,and no haitian accent !!!!!!
Thanks again see you phony people next year !!!!!!! ,2013.


(Ayisien,we going to build it nice after the earthq"ke,R.i.p)

I'm on canal street buying me a Louie belt with my creole Beyonce',B.Gumbal,Lil Fizz ....dont get it twisted haters canal st in new orleans at saks not ny where them fake louie sells

Congrats to Rowena and her husband.

HONEYMOON????

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http://vincypowa.com/

http://vincypowaent.com/

I wonder if he thought it was Vincy...he missed the part in the rticle where it says they honeymooned in England.

Ah TINK so TOO.

__________________

http://vincypowa.com/

http://vincypowaent.com/