As part of an agreement between South African and Cuba on cooperation in the field of health, the provincial government of Limpopo is sending 35 students from previously disadvantaged communities for undergraduate and post-graduate studies in medicine in Cuba.

The students are scheduled to jet off to Cuba on Monday. The MEC for Health and Social Development, Mr Seaparo Sekoati, claims that the sole purpose of sending the students to Cuba is to familiarise them with the Primary Health Care System, which is relevant to our public health system. In Limpopo, there is a huge shortage of doctors. According to an SABC report, the province has only 500 doctors and is in need of about 6000 doctors.

Sekoati said that currently there are 379 South African students studying in Cuba, of which 77 are from Limpopo. Sekoati said that the 35 new students would be sent to different medical schools in various provinces of Cuba.

"Since the first group of students left for Cuba in 1999, we have sent a total of 112 students. We have 10 students who have returned home for their final year medical studies this year," said Sekoati.

The MEC further added that once the students have completed their second year, they will be given an opportunity to come home for a visit. He said that the students’ second visit would be during their 4th year. "They will get a ticket on completion of studies in the 5th year to return to South Africa to do their last year at Medunsa," said the MEC.

Sekoati told the students during an occasion of their farewell held at The Ranch Hotel on Tuesday that the fact that they are going to a foreign country will be a challenge to all of them. He said that their first barrier will be language, as the official language of Cuba is Spanish.

The MEC said that the students will get support from the department in the form of stipends and information. Every year, Sekoati said, there would be formal visits to Cuba by senior management, provincial coordinators and the national department. The students will go through an orientation programme which includes Cuban history, culture and its people, logistical issues, their conduct and discipline during their stay in Cuba. He said that they will also be briefed about the relationship between South Africa and Cuba before and after the dawn of democracy.

Sekoati further said that the Cuban authorities have never had problems with the South Afican students when it comes to discipline although there are isolated incidents of ill-discipline particularly with regard to alcohol abuse.

On completion of their studies, the MEC said, the students will be utilised and placed to strengthen primary health care in the rural areas before they would be encouraged to specialise in family medicine.

"Based on Cuba´s medical history, we have no doubts that when you return you will make a big difference in the lives of the people of Limpopo, especially around Primary Health Care. When you return, you will be the source of inspiration to us in ensuring that we deliver quality health care service to the people of this province," he concluded.