533 newly certified doctors enter SA medical industry
The doctors that graduated have been deployed in health facilities across the country.
This weekend the University of Pretoria (UP) Mamelodi campus added 533 newly accredited medical practitioners to an industry that has been suffering as part of the long-standing Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Programme.
The programme, since its establishment in 1997, has been responsible for graduating over 2000 medical professionals.
The graduation was attended by numerous dignitaries from both Cuban and South African universities as well as representatives from each of the countries’ health sectors.
“From its inception, the Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration programme opened opportunities. It addressed the need for a new medical training model focusing on preventative and promotive healthcare services rather than the historical dominance of the curative healthcare system,” said acting UP vice-chancellor Prof BT Maharaj.
“The programme opened access to advanced training as medical practitioners for disadvantaged students who would otherwise not be admitted to most South African medical schools because of their socio-economic background.
“The collaboration increased the annual intake of medical students and the output of doctors in the country, which increased the capacity of provincial departments to place medical doctors in public health facilities in rural areas.”
The Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaala advocated for the programme, calling for its continuation amid the shortage of healthcare professionals in the country.
The minister congratulated the graduates on their achievements.
A newly certified Dr Siphiso Gubayi expressed satisfaction at completing the academically demanding degree and called for additional medical equipment to be provided to healthcare facilities in the country.
“It is the biggest challenge facing the graduates entering the field.”
North West and KwaZulu-Natal produced 126 graduates each followed by Gauteng with 116, Limpopo (86), Eastern Cape (83), Northern Cape (28), Free State (21) and Mpumalanga (12).
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