Baragwanath interns doctors

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Cuba’s ‘medical brigade’ to arrive in South Africa to help flatten curve

A team of doctors from Cuba will arrive in South Africa on Sunday to assist on the frontlines in the fight against COVID-19.

Baragwanath interns doctors

Photo: Adobe Stock

An emergency contingent of 216 Cuban doctors will arrive in South Africa on Sunday 26 April to assist healthcare officials in stemming the spread of COVID-19 in the country.

As of Saturday 25 April, Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize updated the nation on the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases which now stands at 4 361, with a death toll of 86.  A total of 161 004 people were tested for the virus as of Saturday.

Deployed in different provinces

The members of the so-called “medical brigade” include Cuban family physicians, epidemiologists, biologists, healthcare technology experts, engineering experts, biotechnology experts and other specialists, the Cuban embassy announced in a statement.

“In response to the request made by the government of the Republic of South Africa, the government of Cuba has decided to support the great efforts that are currently made by South Africa in containing and arresting the spread of the coronavirus,” according to Cuban ambassador Rodolfo Benítez Verson.

“They will be deployed in different provinces of the country in accordance with the strategic plans elaborated by the Department of Health.”

Cuban ‘army of white robes’ assist across the world

In the past, the Caribbean island nation has availed its “armies of white robes” to assist largely poor countries in the world in fighting epidemics, including the Ebola outbreak in Africa.

According to trtworld.com, Cuba, which has confirmed 1 337 cases of the virus at home and 51 deaths, has one of the world’s highest number of doctors per capita and is has been lauded for its focus on prevention, community-oriented primary healthcare, and preparedness to fight epidemics.

Cuba has sent about 1 200 healthcare workers to vulnerable African and Caribbean nations since the outbreak of the pandemic, as well as to European countries, such as Italy, that have been hard hit by the coronavirus.

“Cuba has already thousands of health professionals in 21 countries across the globe to assist in the fight against Covid-19,” the embassy said in its statement.

US President Donald Trump’s administration, however, has urged countries not to accept Cuba’s medical missions on charges that it exploits its workers, which the country denied. 

Community health model valuable to SA

“The advantage of Cuba is that they are a community health model, one that we would like to use,” South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize told a news briefing earlier in April.

South Africa sent medical supplies to Cuba to assist in the fight against coronavirus in the plane that is now returning with the Cuban medical brigade, Cuba’s embassy in South Africa tweeted.

Times of ‘solidarity and cooperation’

“These are times of solidarity and cooperation. If we act together, we can halt the spread of coronavirus in a faster and more cost-effective manner,” the ambassador added.

In late March, Mkhize revealed that foreign doctors — along with medical students who have graduated for the Nelson Mandela-Fidel Castro Cooperative Programme – were already operating in South African clinics and hospitals.

Assistance from China

Medical experts from China have also offered assistance to South Africa in studying the spread of the virus, issuing advice on social distancing regulations, hygiene and sanitation.

China also sent thousands of personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment to South Africa on Monday 13 April to assist healthcare workers on the frontline. The PPE received thus far and the batches that are currently on order, amount to an estimated R800 million.