The Deputy Minister of Health and the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health; Drs Gwen Ramokgopa and Sibongiseni Dhlomo will tomorrow congratulate twenty five (25), plus one posthumous, grandaunts that have successfully completed their studies through the South Africa – Cuba Health Cooperation programme.
Journalists are invited to the graduation ceremony to be held at the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s (Durban Westville Campus) MH Joosub Hall at 10h00 on Thursday, 14 July 2011.
The graduation ceremony will be observed by the Deputy Minister of Health, Dr Ramokgopa, the MEC for Health, Dr Dhlomo, the first Secretary of the Cuban Embassy in South Africa, Ms Ibete Hernandez, the Head of the Cuban Medical Collaboration, Dr Alex Carreras, Vice Chancellor of University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) Professor W Makgopa and Deans of Faculties of Medicine from Cuba and South Africa.
The graduation is a major milestone of the countries cooperation agreement which has seen two hundred and eighty two (282) South African students, mainly from poor backgrounds, realising their dreams of being medical doctors. One of the grandaunts will be awarded a posthumous degree.
There are currently seventy three (73) students who came back to finalise their studies in South Africa and another thirty four (34) returned last July and are finalising their clinical training. Through the South Africa – Cuba Cooperation agreement students train in Cuba for five (5) years, for free, and return to South Africa to complete a one year clinical training programme so as to be orientated into the South African health system.
Enquiries:
Chris Maxon
Cell: 083 447 2869
