Question NW961 to the Minister of Health

Reply:

a) (i) No;

(ii) No;

(iii) Yes.

b) Yes.

(aa) The cost implication are as follows:

(aaa) For 2018/19 amounted to R 47 million and since 1 April 2019 to date R 24 million.

(bbb) For both financial years mentioned which are 2018/19 and since 1 April 2019 to date, the purpose was to transport South African students studying medicine in Cuba to South Africa. Because of the big numbers and the logistics involved in transporting them all at once a charter option was deemed most effective.

These are students in different categories as follows:

i) those who have completed their 5th year in Cuba and would be commencing their 6th year in the South African Medical in Schools;

ii) those that are on vacation;

iii) those that come to do Electives in our health facilities in their Provinces to gain clinical experience;

iv) Sometimes those who have medical problems during the time the charter is available and need to be brought to South Africa for further medical treatment and intervention. In particular, when the Medical Schools Cuba have made a determination that they may not be able to cope with their Academic activities during the period of illness. The opportunity to bring them on a Charter is also used.

 

(ccc) For 2018/19 the following flights:

Date	From	To
03 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
06 July 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA
08 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
11 July 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA
15 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
18 July 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA
31 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
03 August 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA
26 August 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
30 August 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA

Since 1 April 2019 to date the following flights:

Date	From	Destination
03 July 2019	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
05 July 2019	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA
08 July 2019	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
10 July 2019	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA
12 July 2019	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba
14 July 2019	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA

(bb) The number of passengers aboard each flight were as follows:

For 2018/19 the passenger numbers:

Date	From	To	Passenger Number
03 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	01
06 July 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	281
08 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	95
11 July 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	244
15 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	04
18 July 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	217
31 July 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	0
03 August 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	281
26 August 2018	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	300
30 August 2018	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	75

During 2018/19 financial year, the department chartered 282 (1 + 281) passengers on 3 to 6 July 2018; 339 (95 + 244 passengers from 8 to 11 July 2018; 221 (4 + 217) passengers from 15 to 18 July 2018; 281 (0 +281) passengers from 31 July 2018 to 03 August 2018; and 375 (300 + 75) passengers from 26 to 30 August 2018.

Since 1 April 2019 to date the passenger number:

Date	From	Destination	Passenger Number
03 July 2019	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	7
05 July 2019	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	214
08 July 2019	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	5
10 July 2019	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	214
12 July 2019	OR Tambo, SA	Havana, Cuba	193
14 July 2019	Havana, Cuba	OR Tambo, SA	222

In 2019 the department chartered 221(7+214) passengers on 3 to 5 July, on the 08 to 10 July chartered 219 (5+214) passengers and on the 12 to 14 July chartered 415 (193+222) passengers.

END.