On Friday 7 October 2022, the MEC for Health, Madoda Sambatha, and officials held the ceremony for the departure of the prospective students. The programme has recently been overshadowed by controversy with students from the North West and the Free State raising concerns about the lack of care from the provincial governments. 

In July 2021, OFM News reported that at least 50 South African students from North West, who were studying Medicine in Cuba, were set to head back home amidst the controversy surrounding their living conditions, amongst others.

ALSO READ: 50 NW medical students to leave Cuba for good

Responding to the allegations by students, the departmental spokesperson, Tebogo Lekgethwane, in 2021 said the department was aware of the conditions in Cuba which have led to the country running short of essential supplies.

“Islanders have to wait in long queues to get their normal supplies, such as foodstuffs. This affects our students as well, as they are part of the Cuban community. European banks used by South Africa to wire funds to Cuba have become reluctant to continue servicing Cuba as their relations with the United States are jeopardised. The South African Embassy in Cuba and the Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) are, however, finding other ways of transferring money to Cuba and that is promising, as an account has been opened with a local bank,” he added.

ALSO READ: NW health responds to SA student in Cuba

Lekgethwane explained that due to tight budgetary constraints, it is a challenge to augment the stipends. “In respect of the shortage of supplies, a year ago the National Department of Health (NDOH) arranged food and other essentials for the students in Cuba and also families arranged for some packages that were delivered to Cuba with a chartered flight. So, this year, the North West department is arranging food and other essentials for the students.

OFM News