Quality of health care in rural areas set to drastically change with the arrival and deployment of Cuban specialists
Fourteen Cuban Doctors who are specialists in different health disciplines have been warmly received by KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) Health MEC, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo. The arrival of these Specialists in KZN is as a result of the Cuba – South Africa agreement intended to assist this country in health care matters and in the production of more Doctors.
In welcoming the Doctors, MEC Dhlomo highlighted the good relationship that the liberated South Africa shares with Cuba indicating that the bond that ties the two countries was cemented in blood and principle in the trenches of Angola during the struggle against apartheid.
In heaping praise to Cuba, Dhlomo said: ‘As patriots, we remember and honour the heroic efforts of the Cuban soldiers in that Angolan war and the spectacular defeat of the apartheid army in Cuito Cuanavale which brought about the speedy implementation of Resolution 435 which then became the cradle for our own emancipation.’
The Doctors were thanked for the revolutionary decision they took to come and ply their services in the rural areas where South African born specialists refuse to go. Dhlomo also explained that the 8 South African Medical Schools produce only 1 200 Doctors per annum and that only a fraction of these end up in public healthcare Institutions
As means to alleviate the shortage of Doctors, South Africa signed an agreement with Cuba to allow our students to study Medicine in that country. Dhlomo said until such time that the plus thousand medical students sent to Cuba last year come back as qualified doctors; the situation is still going to remain dire for rural communities.
Dhlomo also indicated that the big advantage that comes with the placement and deployment of these Cuban Specialists will be in the curtailment of the movement and transportation of patients from the rural areas to tertiary hospitals in the cities just to receive medical attention. Attention in terms of health care will now be derived in District hospitals closer to where the people live.
Some of the disciplines offered by these Specialists are scarce even in the urban based hospitals and Dhlomo hailed their introduction to rural based hospitals as a remarkable feature in terms of expanding access to quality healthcare.
The Cuban specialists are placed in institutions in the following manner:
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Name & Surname |
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Dr Horacio Izguierdo Ramirez |
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
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Dr Ana Ceillia Valdez Borrotto |
Maxillofacial Surgery |
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Dr Alexander Hernandez Alfonso |
Ear, Nose and Throat |
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Dr Osmany Diaz Guerra |
Family Medicine |
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Dr Mairovis Ochoa Reyes |
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Dr Jorge Luis Batista Columbie |
Maxillofacial Surgery |
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Dr Yoannes Solano Fonseca |
Family Medicine |
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Dr Mildres Gonzales Medina |
Family Medicine |
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Dr Rodolfo Martinez Chaver |
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Dr Neison Ramos Suarez |
Ear, Nose and Throat |
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Dr Pedro Manuel Perez Armas |
Family Medicine |
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Dr Mercedes Figueras Guerra |
Family Medicine |
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Dr Julio Cesar Godoy Ferraz |
Family Medicine |
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Dr Jesus Antonio Gonzalez Villalonga |
General Surgery |
The people of KwaZulu-Natal who are beneficiaries of this revolutionary arrangement are implored to welcome these Doctors with open arms and be showed the spirit of ‘ubuntu’ as they are here to serve the marginalised communities.
Dhlomo then encouraged the doctors to venture out in their leisure time to enjoy the beauty of this Province by exploring its game reserves; beaches; heritage sites and good food. The doctors are already on the ground in their respective allocated institutions.
For more please contact:
Desmond Motha
Cell: 083 295 3901
