Cuban medics reinforce Covid-19 fight at Tshwane hospital
The doctors will work in all hospitals according to where the epidemic requires an improved response.
Four of the 28 Cuban medical doctors allocated to the Gauteng province, as part of the government’s fight against Covid-19, would be stationed at the Tshwane district hospital.
They will be at the hospital until end-March 2021. More than 200 Cuban doctors have been brought in to assist. The doctors, including community health and infectious disease specialists, epidemiologists, statisticians and medical technologists arrived on 27 April, said Kwara Kekana, spokesperson for the Gauteng health MEC.
They will work in all hospitals according to where the epidemic requires an improved response. Kekana said the doctors would report to the specialist teams in family medicine and public health. They are here to assist with coronavirus surveillance and response. Some are experts in measurement sciences like biostatistics, epidemiology which is the study of determination and distribution of diseases. They will assist with understanding the dynamic changes in the epidemic and adaptive change of the state to respond effectively.
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Kekana said some Cuban doctors were health technologists who would work with medical engineers and infrastructure experts in the Gauteng department of health.
“We are happy that they will help us to defeat the Covid-19 epidemic and use their special skills in the management of outbreaks as some have extensive experience in international health missions. Words are not enough to express our appreciation for the Cuban nation,” said Gauteng MEC for Health Dr Bandile Masuku.
“The consistent sacrifices and support that we have benefited from Cuba are cherished and invaluable.”
He said the country was confronted with a disease that had shown itself to be among the most brutal viruses of all time.
“While we may be tempted not to acknowledge the amount of social and economic damage that this virus continues to have, it is also necessary that we reflect honestly on this.”
He said the Gauteng provincial government had put in several measures to not only manage the spread of the virus and adequately treat those who had been exposed to it but to also ensure that those who were most vulnerable in various communities were taken care of.
Masuku said there was wide mass screening and testing, flu immunisation, increasing bed availability at all health facilities, including in the private sector and ensuring that there was supply of personal protective equipment.
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He said the exchange of medical teams was an important opportunity for his department to share knowledge and experiences but also moments of joy, laughter and friendship.
“In the time that you will spend in Gauteng, we hope that you will also be open to learning a bit about our culture and way of life,” he told the Cuban doctors.
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