Manto welcomes Cuban-trained doctors

The 22, among 430 SA students enrolled, are the second group to benefit from a health department programme that recruits youngsters with potential from disadvantaged communities to study medicine in Cuba .

It is part of an agreement signed between SA and Cuba in 1995. It also includes the recruitment of Cuban doctors to work in underserved SA areas.

Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang said the department of health was pleased to welcome the 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 experienced by many students from poor communities.

"Government opened this opportunity because we realised there were many young people with great potential. We're reaping the fruits of this investment."

The new doctors completed their five-year medical studies in Cuba and have served their internship in SA, "to ensure they have the necessary competencies to meet the local health care needs", she said.

"Like all other health professionals in SA, they are now going to serve a year of community service. They will work in under-served areas and remain in the public service for a minimum of five years."