2024 Nelson Mandela/Fidel Castro medical programme application forms

As rain clouds gathered in the Mother City and a light but chilly wind gripped the air, the atmosphere inside the University of Cape Town’s (UCT) Sarah Baartman Hall was warm and energetic – as ululations and cheers rang out in celebration of the accomplishments of a large cohort of newly qualified South African doctors.

62 medical students begin elective as part of reintegration process

Sixty two medical students on Nelson Mandela –Fidel Castro Scholarship due for elective have been orientated on the South African health system and disease profile ahead of placement. An elective is a placement undertaken as part of a medical degree.

The fourth year medical students studying in Cuba have been placed in four hospitals for the month of August while on school vacation. This allows medical students an opportunity to experience healthcare in a setting unfamiliar to that in which they are accustomed to while studying.

A total of 24 medical students will be placed at the Job Shimankane Tabane hospital in Rustenburg while Mafikeng Provincial hospital will accommodate 21 students.

Twelve students from Dr. Kenneth Kaunda District will be placed at Klerksdorp Tshepong Hospital Complex and the remaining five medical students from Dr. Ruth Segomotsi Mompati District will be trained at Potchefstroom Hospital as Joe Morolong Hospital is not yet accredited to train medical students.

Bursary holder, Ramofhi Redibone from Venderdorp said she was happy to be home and to learn more about the South African health system and disease profile as they are different from that of Cuba.

The 62 medical students from the North West Province are among 720 young people on Nelson Mandela –Fidel Castro Scholarship and return to be reintegrated to local medical universities. The Department of Health will use the electives as preparation for the reintegration process. 

MEC Dr. Magome Masike told medical students during orientation held at Rustenburg Kloof that the South African healthcare system is being transformed to make way for the National Health Insurance, where healthcare is free at point of entry.

“It is important for you to understand the level of sacrifice that is required of doctors.

“We are facing a different and significantly changing world that demands leadership and we look upon young doctors to be available when they are needed the most.

“We are in a war here to defeat diseases. We are here to prevent, diagnose, treat and control diseases.

“If disease is our enemy we have to understand the micro bacteria and the virus and therefore, our understanding of all those makes us better equipped to become good doctors,” MEC Masike said.

He said the Nelson Mandela –Fidel Castro Scholarship continues to enable the department to close the health capacity gap.

Photo caption: MEC Magome Masike (center) and officials from the Department of Health with 62 medical students on electives.

Enquiries:
Tebogo Lekgethwane
Cell: 082 929 9958
E-mail: tlekgethwane@nwpg.gov.za

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