results
7 July 2006
The Department of Health welcomed the second group of South African medical
doctors who have recently completed their studies in Cuba in a graduation
ceremony held at Medunsa today.
These 22 doctors are beneficiaries of the programme by the Department of
Health in South Africa which recruits students with potential from the
historically disadvantaged communities to study medicine in Cuba.
A total of 430 medical students have been enrolled in the programme.
The 22 newly qualified doctors were recruited from KwaZulu-Natal,
Mpumalanga, Free State, Limpopo, Eastern Cape, Gauteng and North West as part
of an agreement signed between South Africa and Cuba in 1995. The agreement
also includes recruitment of Cuban doctors to work in the underserved areas in
South Africa.
The new doctors completed their five-year medical studies in Cuba and have
served their internship programme in South Africa to ensure they have necessary
competencies to meet the local healthcare needs.
Like all other health professionals in South Africa they are now going to
serve one year of community service.
As part of the bursary agreement with the Department of Health for studying
in Cuba, these doctors will work in underserved areas and remain in the public
service for a minimum of five years.
After being selected, the students study for five years in Cuba and write
the National Final Cuban Examinations (NFCE). They then return to South Africa
on the sixth year to do their final clinical year and practical studies
(internship) in various South African health-science faculties. They then sit
for a South African examination with the rest of the South African medical
students to qualify as doctors.
Health Minister Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said the Department of Health
was very pleased to welcome these new doctors into the public health
sector.
"Many of these students would not have been doctors today because of the
challenges of admission requirements and costs that many students from poor
communities had to grapple with. Government took a decision to open this
opportunity because we realised that there were many young people with great
potential to serve the health sector. We are glad that today we are reaping the
fruits of this investment," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
NB: A graduation ceremony of 22 Cuban-trained doctors will be held tonight
at 19h00 at Sports Centre, Medunsa Campus (near George Mkhari Hospital). For
directions call Lindi at 082 885 0050.
Contact:
Sibani Mngadi
Cell: 082 772 0161
Charity Bhengu
Cell: 084 521 2035
Issued by: Department of Health
7 July 2006
