Rahim Lespoir named best student as five Seychellois medical doctors graduate in Cuba |28 July 2018

Rahim Lespoir has been named the best student in his faculty as five Seychellois graduated as medical doctors following the completion of their seven-year studies in universities Cuba.

Of the five students, two got gold mention (Titulo de oro).

Doctor Rahim Lespoir came out the best of the medical faculty of the Escuela Latinoamericana de Medicina (ELAM) or American School of Medicine (LASM), which is a major international medical school in Cuba and a prominent part of the Cuban healthcare system. The university is based in Guantánamo.

According to reports, his involvement in the different extra class activities and in various domains were significant in landing him the best student award.

He was also given the honour to deliver a speech on behalf of all graduates and among the guests for the occasion was his mother.

Both Dr Isha Barreau and Dr Nelly Marie got mention gold (Titulo de oro) and they studied in the city of Ciego de Avila.

The other two medical students who graduated are Dr Ingrid Barbé and Dr Brigitte Lepathy.

They are all expected back home next month and can opt to start specialisation immediately next January of February if they want, but only after discussing with the Agency for National Human Resource Development (ANHRD) and health ministry upon their return to see Seychelles’ needs.

A number of Seychellois doctors have studied in Cuba and most heads at the health ministry are Cuban products. There are another 11 Seychellois students in Cuba, three are pursuing specialty studies and eight are doing their first degree. Another group will be leaving Seychelles for Cuba later this year.

Medicine in Cuba is one of the best in the world and over 100 nationalities including American students study in Cuban medical faculties. Every year around 1,000 students graduate in medicine in Cuba.