Pretoria - About 180 youth from disadvantaged backgrounds in North West have been awarded bursaries to study medicine in Cuba this year.
This is a drastic improvement from 100 that was recruited in 2012.
The recruitment process of 180 students, who depart for Cuba in October, was highly competitive.
Candidates according to the provincial department 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.
The province continues to see steady progress in addressing related challenges of scarce skills and training of health professionals, says Health MEC Magome Masike.
“Through the South African and Cuban Medical Programme, more and more medical professionals become available. The availability of extra doctors means more and more communities, especially in rural areas where most of them come from are able to be seen and treated by doctors,” says Masike.
Masike says the shortage of medical professionals is a national problem but affects the poor and rural population the most.
“Through the South Africa and Cuba Medical Programme, more and more medical professionals become available and this slowly but surely, reduces doctor patient contact in health facilities mainly serving rural communities,” the MEC said.
Currently, the province has 72 medical students from poor backgrounds who successfully completed their medical studies and are now serving their communities since inception of South Africa Cuba Medical programme in 1995. –SAnews.gov.za
