South African government says the recently graduated medical doctors who were trained in Cuba will help address the challenges that continue to plague the country’s healthcare system.
Health Minister Joe Phaahla said the demand of doctors and other healthcare workers remains a huge issue in South Africa’s healthcare system.
“The system and our conditions as a country requires those trained in the new health associated security paradigm and preventative approach to strengthen the primary health care system,” the Minister said.
He was speaking at the graduation ceremony of 594 South African Medical Students graduating from Cuban Universities as part of Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme.
The objective of the programme is to alleviate the shortage of doctors in South Africa, especially in the historically disadvantaged communities and well as to improve human resource capacity and strengthen the healthcare system in the country.
Phaahla presided over the graduation ceremony held at the University of Pretoria’s Mamelodi campus in Pretoria. From 1997 to date, the collaboration has produced 2556 doctors, some of whom have become specialists.
