Cuban doctors arriving in South Africa.
Image via: ER Lombard / Gallo
Cuban doctors arriving in South Africa.
Image via: ER Lombard / Gallo
The controversial ‘Cuban doctors‘ initiative has been billed as a great collaborative effort between the Caribbean island and South Africa. Hundreds of medical professionals have been flown to our shores, in a bid to curb the COVID-19 epidemic. However, their conscription hasn’t been welcomed by everyone…
The government has faced criticism for sourcing medical help from abroad, and the decision is seen by some as more of a political statement than anything else. Well, the ruling party was pushed onto the back foot again this week, after the mega-salaries afforded to the Cuban doctors were made public.
Of course, in the middle of an unprecedented medical crisis, South Africa needs all the help it can get. But spending almost a quarter-of-a-billion rand on a foreign workforce comes with legitimate questions – especially when the bill is being footed by the taxpayer.
The salaries for each medical professionals include:
Health Minister Zweli Mkhize has defended the decision, stating that the doctors and health experts are incredibly well-trained and bring a wealth of knowledge to the country’s medical front-line. But the method of funding for the Cuban doctors – and what it says about our own healthcare system – stands out above all else.
Health Minister, Zweli Mkhize has confirmed that the salaries of Cuban health workers – deployed in South Africa to help in the fight against COVID-19 – are estimated to cost tax payers about R239 million for the duration of their stay. #sabcnews
— SAfm news (@SAfmnews) June 9, 2020