Rural communities in the North West Province are now benefitting from the South Africa-Cuban Medical Programme. Since the inception of the programme in 1998, over 50 medical students from poor backgrounds successfully completed their medical studies and are now serving their communities.
The province has again awarded 12 bursaries to young people to pursue medicine in Cuba. The selection process was highly competitive, with only 12 students out of a total of 192 applicants selected. Candidates were selected on the basis of academic excellence and commitment to serve the poorest communities upon completion of their studies.
Other criteria included a history of active involvement in their communities, and the potential to be a dedicated and caring doctor. Priority was given to students from disadvantaged communities.
Bursary recipients underwent a week long orientation at health facilities in the Bojanala District last week, to familiarise themselves with medical practice and to get perspective of Cuba from those who studied medicine in Cuba.
The province continues to see steady progress in addressing related challenges of scares skills and training of health professionals. “Through the South Africa-Cuban Medical Programme, more and more medical professionals became available, and this slowly but surely reduces doctor patient contact in health facilities mainly serving rural communities,” says MEC, Dr Magome Masike.
MEC Masike will bid farewell to 12 bursary recipients on Friday, 23 September 2011, at a ceremony scheduled to start at 09h30, at Mmabatho Convention Centre.
The media are invited.
Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: Tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za
Ngwako Motsieng
Tel: 018 387 5830
Cell: 082 964 8838
Fax: 018 387 5794
E-mail: nmotsieng@nwpg.gov.za
Cuban trained doctors benefit North West rural communities
Province
