Tshabalala-Msimang, on the occasion of the second national graduation ceremony
of South African medical doctors trained in Cuba
7 July 2006
Honourable MECs of Health
Cuban Delegation Prof Juan Ceballos, Dr Jorge Bustillo, Dr Victor Figuera and
representative from the Cuban Embassy, Mr Enrique Orta
Heads of Health
Deans of Medical Schools,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen,
It is a great honour and privilege that I address this congregation of the
second national graduation ceremony of South African doctors who studied in
Cuba. It is particularly important that this ceremony takes place here at the
Medunsa Campus of the University of Limpopo. This institution played a
significant role in developing black doctors since 1976.
We started this programme of sending our students to study in Cuba at the
time when we had just attained our freedom. The challenge facing us at the time
was to provide opportunities for training of young people who were prepared to
provide health services in many of our underserved areas.
We knew that many of our young people had potential to qualify as doctors.
However, they were facing many challenges including selection criteria and
funding which prevented many of historically disadvantaged students from
enrolling in local universities.
We appreciate the support offered by the Government and people of Cuba by
making spaces available for our young people to study medicine in that country.
As you know part of this agreement included the deployment of Cuban doctors to
serve in rural parts of our country which continue to face major difficulties
in terms of recruitment and retention of health professionals.
The close relationship between Cuba and South Africa was forged during the
difficult period of our struggle for freedom in Southern Africa. Our
relationship becomes even more important during this period of a struggle for
global peace and justice and the improvement of the lives of our populations in
the South.
I am raising these issues in order to remind our new graduates of the
historic context within which they have become doctors today. You need to
remember that you are a great example of a successful co-operation between two
nations of South based on mutual respect and a desire to improve lives.
A total of 430 young people from South Africa have been enrolled in the
undergraduate component of this partnership. 257 of them are at various levels
of their studies in Cuba. 61 are currently placed in various South African
Universities to complete their final year. They are going to be joined by a
further 63 students who arrived back from Cuba earlier today.
Twenty-seven doctors who studied through this programme are now working in
various public health facilities. Today, we are celebrating the graduation of
these 22 beautiful young people who are ready to go and serve our people as
community service doctors. They were recruited from Eastern Cape, Free State,
Gauteng, Limpopo, KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North West.
I wish to congratulate you on your achievement and more especially for your
endurance, perseverance and continued motivation to reach your goal of being
doctors in South Africa.
Our country needs more supply of skills to sustain and enhance our economic
growth and development. We believe, as government, that the training of our
young people is critical if we are to achieve our goal of a better life for
all. Hence government is making deliberate efforts to intensify education and
training programmes particularly those aimed at our young people.
You are joining millions of young people of South Africa who make us to be
proud and confident about the future our nation. Through various surveys, these
young people have said that they believe there is a great future for them in
South Africa. They say that the period in which they live is much better than
the era in which their parents grew up. They believe they have a much better
opportunity to live a better life and have bright future in this country.
I am confident that you will make your mark within this group of young South
African patriots by serving our people with dignity and respect. Your skills as
doctors will contribute significantly in our countryâs efforts to promote good
health and manage various diseases affecting our community.
I wish you all the best in your careers.
Thank you and enjoy the evening.
Issued by: Department of Health
7 July 2006
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