In a written reply to an inquiry in the provincial legislature, Gauteng MEC on Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, disclosed that the Gauteng Department of Health annually...
In a written reply to an inquiry in the provincial legislature, Gauteng MEC on Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, disclosed that the Gauteng Department of Health annually earmarks R14.3 million to employ 11 Cuban doctors in public hospitals. This allocation is part of a longstanding agreement between South Africa and Cuba aimed at bolstering healthcare provision within the country.
The Cuban doctors, numbering 11 in total, are distributed across various health facilities as follows:
- Johannesburg Metro Health District: 4 doctors (R4,788,600)
- Ekurhuleni Metro Health District: 3 doctors (R3,847,503)
- Sedibeng Metro Health District: 2 doctors (R2,833,917)
- Thelle Mogoerane Hospital: 1 doctor (R1,642,858)
- Tembisa Hospital: 1 doctor (R1,197,150)
These doctors' contracts range from fixed-term to permanent positions, contributing to the staffing needs of these critical healthcare institutions.
However, the allocation has sparked criticism from some quarters, particularly regarding the employment of foreign doctors while a significant number of qualified local medical professionals remain unemployed. Jack Bloom, the DA shadow MEC of health, expressed concern over this allocation, emphasizing the paradox of investing in local medical training only to face a surplus of unemployed professionals.
Reports earlier this year revealed that nearly 700 South African medical doctors had struggled to secure positions in the public sector despite qualifying. The Department of Health has cited budget constraints, rising salaries, and medical negligence claims payouts as factors limiting their capacity to absorb all qualified professionals.
Health Minister Joe Phaala acknowledged the issue, attributing a reduction in the number of unemployed doctors to increased funding. He noted a steady rise in the employment of medical doctors over the past five years, fueled by a significant financial injection from the treasury.
The employment of Cuban doctors in South Africa dates back to 1996 when the two nations signed a bilateral agreement establishing the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme. This initiative facilitates the training of South African students in Cuba and the deployment of Cuban doctors to supplement the local healthcare workforce.
Minister of International Relations and Cooperation, Naledi Pandor, emphasized the benefits derived from the programme, including addressing the maldistribution of healthcare personnel and enhancing primary healthcare services. The recent remarks by Health Minister Phaala underscore the government's commitment to both local medical training and the continued collaboration with Cuba.
In the past 15 years, there has been a significant expansion in medical training capacity, with the number of graduates nearly doubling over the last decade. Minister Phaala reiterated the importance of retaining healthcare professionals within the public health system, emphasizing the critical role they play in multidisciplinary teams.
The employment of Cuban doctors in South African hospitals remains a subject of debate, balancing the need for immediate staffing solutions with long-term strategies for local workforce development. As the government continues to address healthcare challenges, collaboration with international partners like Cuba remains a significant component of its strategy to strengthen healthcare provision nationwide.