Issued by: The Ministry of Health
2 NOVEMBER 1998
Media reports suggesting that South African students, studying medicine in Cuba, are "treated like pigs" and kept in "concentration camps of hell" are grossly inaccurate.
South African students are in Cuba at the invitation of the Cuban government, which in discussions with Health Minister, Dr Nkosazana Zuma, offered to help us train doctors who because of stringent admission policies at South African medical schools, could not gain entry into those institutions.
In January 1997 the first group of 10, all from Mpumalanga Province, left for Cuba and enrolled for a 9 month course in Spanish, a prerequisite for all foreign students studying in Cuba.
The second group of 40 left in January 1998, eleven of whom were also from Mpumalanga Province. In the past two weeks seven students from Mpumalanga have returned to South Africa. Two for health reasons and five of their own accord. The latter asked the Minister, Dr Zuma, for permission to terminate their studies because as they put it "failure to cope with studying in Cuba".
In June 1998 the Minister, after attending the Non-Aligned Health Minister's Meeting held in Havana, Cuba, visited the students and learnt for the first time of the said students' desire to return to South Africa. She asked them to write to their parents and the provincial authorities explaining why they wanted to terminate their studies. She also asked the South African Ambassador to Cuba, Mr Nkadimeng, to help them in whichever way he could with the necessary arrangements.
Students volunteer to undergo medical training in Cuba and their performance so far is quite impressive.
At no stage did the Minister intimidate any of the students as suggested in the media reports. She however, made it clear to all of them that government had no obligation to fund their studies on their return home.
Up to now 67 students are benefitting from this programme. 9 are in their 2nd year of medical studies; 33 have passed Spanish and are doing 1st year medicine and 25 left on 29 October 1998 ad began their Spanish lessons this week.
The Minister and the provincial authorities are quite satisfied with the progress our students are making.
Dr Zuma on behalf of government, wishes to thank the Cuban government and its people for training our students in medicine.
Contact; Khangelani Hlongwane 082 557 0978