Masked gunman attacks Cuban doctor

Dr Mariela Poulot, 44, was asleep when she was awakened by unusual sounds in the apartment which she shares with a colleague.

The medical consultant said that on investigating she came upon the masked intruder who had broken into her bedroom. He attacked her and pointed a gun at her.

She wrestled with the man and managed to get the weapon out of his hand.

But then he whipped a bigger gun out of his waist.

Dr. Poulot managed to pull the stocking from her attacker’s face, and he lashed her in the face with the gun.

As he lashed her with the weapon, he demanded money. The doctor gave him her pouch with a stethoscope, $5,000 in cash, her spectacles and a few pairs of bangles.

As the man left, he ripped the telephone from the wall

Dr. Poulot shouted for help and her colleague in the next room came to her assistance.

Meanwhile, when the Guyana Chronicle visited the injured woman at the newly constructed Doctor’s quarters, where other Cuban nationals had gathered, this newspaper was informed that the recent attack was not the only such incident.

Dr Daniel Yanez, a surgeon, said the attack is the seventh such incident since he came to Guyana just over a year ago.

The medical practitioner related that the doctors at the quarters are plagued by robberies, and recalled an attack last week when a bandit, armed with a knife, robbed the eye specialist, an Indian national.

He said the incidents are recurring despite reports to the police, and he is calling on the relevant authorities to address the matter.

Dr Yanez said too that security personnel were supposed to be on duty a mere three feet away from Dr Poulot’s apartment .

There are thirteen Cubans practicing medicine in New Amsterdam, five of whom are females.

Meanwhile, the police are continuing their investigations.

Monday, June 18, 2007