15 August 2003, Holiday Inn Johannesburg International Airport
INTRODUCTION
The Programme Director,
MEC's, Heads of Health,
the Cuban Ambassador,
Deans,
Representatives from the National Department of Foreign Affairs,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
We are gathered here today, for the second time to celebrate a memorable event in the medical history of the two countries, the Republic of South Africa and Cuba. Its an honour for me to welcome back home the second group of our young medical graduates after completion of medical studies in Cuba from four provinces; Eastern Cape, Kwazulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and North-West.
Last year around this time, the Ministry of Health welcomed with pride the first group of doctors who completed their studies from Mpumalanga province. The pioneer group proved beyond doubt that our efforts to collaborate with Cuban Government to promote and develop co-operation in the field of health and medical sciences were not fruitless. It was again through this collaboration that the two governments embarked on a new Post-graduate Training Programme intended to address the problem of scarce skills in the country, in the field of, for example, Virology, Imminology, Epidemiology, Vaccine production, and so on. I therefore stand here boldly to salute, commend and inform you that going to Cuba was both courageous and a worthwhile decision because medical education and health services in Cuba are among one of the best in the world.
I have no doubt that based on Cuba's medical history of health care services, especially Primary Health Care, you will make a difference in the lives of the South African population. With the skills and knowledge acquired, you will be able to serve your communities, especially in the underserved areas with dignity, confidence and commitment.
CONGRATULATIONS AND WELCOME
You will remember that the prime objective of the Ministry to send you to Cuba was to accord you the opportunity to acquire knowledge and skills so as to share a common vision to improve health services delivery and access to quality health to all sections of the population. We celebrate with joy your achievement and the responsible positions you will assume within the health care delivery system of our country. I believe that you will carry out your responsibilities with honour, dignity, dedication and above all, humility.
I want to assure you that the Ministry and the Department of Health will give you all the support that we can in order to integrate knowledge and skills acquired from Cuba into the South African context.
You have challenges ahead of you to render comprehensive health services within rural and previously underserved areas, and to ensure that we achieve appropriate health care outcomes. Your contribution will help us to take forward the realisation of one of our goals to ensure that doctors support our Primary Health Care facilities. Go forth and fight a good fight with all your wisdom and might with your newly acquired skills.
The Ministry and the Department acknowledge challenges that you were faced with, being on your own in a foreign country without the support of your families should have been daunting. You had to learn a new language and new culture and at the same time adjust to new environmental conditions. But you still managed on your own.
We are proud of you today, because you have responded positively to all the challenges but more importantly, you have succeeded as the ambassadors of the country and completed your studies. CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!!
THE DEANS: FACULTIES OF HEALTH SCIENCES
We applaud and thank the two Universities, MEDUNSA and UNITRA for taking the lead and agreeing to assist in integrating the medical students in our health system. Your willingness to corporate with both the Department of Health and Medical Universities of Cuba has strengthened the collaboration between the two countries, minimised culture shock for the students and more importantly, ensured harmony in their medical education. The report received by the Department regarding the progress made by the first group of doctors in your institutions makes us feel encouraged in that our efforts in sending these young people to Cuba was not in vain.
Thank you very much. My appreciation is also extended to the medical Universities who have also opened doors to support our endeavours.
TO THE PARENTS
The Ministry of Health appreciates the sacrifice that the parents made to part with their children to go to a country they had no knowledge of. Your support during the period when your children were away has contributed to their success. You must have spent sleepless nights, wondering about a lot of things but now their success is your success and ours. The Ministry congratulates you. Thank you very much for your contribution.
PROVINCIAL DEPARTMENTS OF HEALTH
To the MEC's from; Eastern Cape, KwaZulu/Natal, Mpumalanga and North-West provinces, the Heads of the Provincial Department of Health, we commend your courage in paving the way for South Africans to utilise the invaluable opportunity offered by the Cuban Government, and for making this aspect of agreement entered into between the two countries a reality.
The Ministry of Health commends you and your provinces for your involvement in the whole process from the beginning until today when we welcome our student doctors back home after completion of their studies. They will contribute to the Provincial efforts to redress problems of scarcity and mal-distribution in health human resources, particularly in the medical field. I commend you for your support.
Many thanks for the psycho-social support given to the students in the past six years. We expect the provinces to reap the rewards of their investment in the payment for the education of these students. Surely, they will repay the Department through service in the provincial health facilities.
THE CUBAN GOVERNMENT
The Government of South Africa is greatly indebted to the Cuban government for all the difference you have made in our country through your unselfish efforts to assist us to improve the health care and delivery.
The Cuban government has not only helped us to staff our rural and under-served hospitals with experienced and highly qualified doctors. They have engaged in basic education of our young South Africans in the field of medicine. They have since commenced with post-graduate education of our young scientists as well. Over and above health, there has been collaboration in the fields of sports and recreation, culture and technology. For this, we are most appreciative.
To the Embassy and Medical Schools, you have made our country proud by opening your doors and hearts to make the government to government agreement possible. We can now boast of an additional 254 medical students who are currently pursuing studies in the Medical Education Programme in your Medical Schools. This additional number would not have been possible because of limited resources and facilities in our country.
Cuban medical education is the most relevant for South Africa because of its Primary Health Care orientation and basis. The health indices of Cuba, which compete favourably with the best of developed countries, are proof enough of the efficacy of your health programmes.
The Government of South Africa is looking forward for the continued relationship and support. Thank you for this noble and invaluable support.
CONCLUSION
The Ministry and the Department of Health would like to thank everybody who contributed to the success of this effort including the Department of Foreign Affairs. We hope that this partnership will be sustained.
This is a group of seventeen (17) young doctors. The numbers will increase with the years. This year alone, we are sending sixty-seven (67) first year students to Cuba. Imagine the day the sixty-seven students return to South Africa, what a difference this will make on our health care delivery.
I Thank you Ladies and Gentlemen.
Minister of Health of South Africa, Dr Mantombazana Edmie Tshabalala-Msimang