Question NW789 to the Minister of Health
08 June 2020 - NW789
Gwarube, Ms S to ask the Minister of Health
(1)What (a) is the total number of specialists who arrived in the Republic with the medical personnel from the Republic of Cuba on 27 April 2020 to assist the Republic in the fight against Covid-19, (b) are the respective fields of specialisation of each specialist and (c) are the details of the professional qualification(s) of each of the specified specialists; (2) what total number of the Cuban medical personnel are proficient in (a) English and/or (b) any other official South African language; (3) what is the (a) total cost associated with the deployment of the Cuban medical personnel in the Republic in the (i) 2020 and (ii) 2021 calendar years and (b) detailed itemised breakdown of how the costs were calculated?
Reply:
1. (a) To date the Republic of Cuba has availed 187 Medical Specialists who will be assisting South Africa in the response to Covid-19.
Epidemiology (Technologist)
Health Technology
Family Physician
Biostatistics Dr
Biotechnologist
Public Health Specialist
(b) The 187 Medical Specialists in the areas that the Country is unable to produce enough. These are qualified in Biostatistics, Epidemiologists, Family Physicians and Health Technologists
(c) Epidemiology (Technologist); Health Technology; Family Physician; Biostatistics, Biotechnologist and Public Health Specialist
2. All of them
3. The following table reflects the details in this regard
|
Activity |
Number |
Estimated Cost |
Notes on the activities |
|
Registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) |
187 |
R734 100.00 |
It is a norm that the registration cost is paid by an individual health professional to the Council. However, as per the Government-to-Government Agreement, the South African pays the fee to the HPCSA and thereafter, deduct the full amount of registration from the individual health professionals’ first salary. This means there is no actual cost to be incurred by the South African Government, however it is a convenient process arranged to ensure that all of the professionals are registered accordingly. |
|
Accommodation |
187 |
|
Most Provinces have entered into agreements with providers for a 12 months period. Other provinces are only accommodating the brigade for May and June and then move them to hotspots Districts / communities. Therefore, the accommodation in these areas are still not confirmed, as negotiations are still underway. A table below shows the cost on accommodation where available. The Provinces will first consider Doctors quarters where the brigade will be stationed. |
|
Salaries |
187 |
R239 181 933 |
The estimated budget cost is informed by actual appointment levels of the Cuban Health Brigade as determined by their Registration category, which took into consideration years of experience. All the Family Physicians and Biostatisticians are appointed at Grade 2 of Medical Officer level and Epidemiology Technologists/ Health Technology and Public Health Specialists are at Deputy Director level while Biomedical Engineers are at ASD level. Table below give overall illustration of salary levels and numbers in each level. |
ACCOMMODATION OF CUBAN BRIGADE IN PROVINCES
|
Province |
Accomodation |
Period |
Costs |
|
Eastern Cape |
The brigade has been distributed in various Facilities across the Province. They are residing in B&Bs and should be accommodated for the full period of their contract |
12 Months |
R384 000.00 |
|
Free State |
The brigade is currently accommodated at Premier Hotel in Bloemfontein, while going through orientation processes. They will be accommodated until end of June at Premier hotel. After which from 1 July 2020, they will be distributed to facilities across the Province and they will be staying in Facility accommodation |
May-June July 2020-April 2021 |
R162 464.00 (R3500X17X10) R595 000 |
|
Gauteng |
The Brigade are accommodated at Burgers Park till 30 June 2020 It is expected that they will be distributed across the Province from I July 2020 to April 2021. Accommodation will then to be Provided by Hospitals |
15 May-30 June 2020 July 2020-April 2021 |
Negotiated rate at Burgers Park Hotel is R1000 per room include breakfast, lunch and dinner, laundry services and hand sanitation |
|
KwaZulu-Natal |
Information from the Province will be submitted in due course. |
||
|
Limpopo |
The brigade is currently accommodated at Zanami Lodge (Polokwane), while being orientated. It is expected that they will be distributed across the Province from I July 2020 to April 2021. Accommodation will then to be Provided by Hospitals |
19 May 2020 to June 2020 July 2020-April 2021 |
R252 000.00 Not yet finalised |
|
Mpumalanga |
Information outstanding Want a formal letter to HOD |
19 May-19 August |
|
|
Northern Cape |
The brigade is currently accommodated at B&B till June 2020 It is expected that they will be distributed across the Province from I July 2020 to April 2021. Accommodation will then to be Provided by Hospitals |
May –June 2020 July 2020-April 2021 |
R320 000.00 (9X12000X11) R1 188 000.00 2 Doctors are at an Official Accommodation |
|
North West |
The brigades have been distributed across the Provincial districts staying in B&Bs and others in Hospital Accommodation |
June 2020 – April 2021 |
R 2 016 000 |
|
Western Cape |
The brigade is currently accommodated at B&B called Icon Luxury Apartments for 12 months. |
12 months |
R1 200 000 p/a |
|
OVERALL - CUBAN BRIGADE HEALTH WORKFORCE |
|||
|
Qualification |
Agreed Post Classification (DPSA) |
No |
Total cost |
|
Family Physician |
MO Gr 2 |
116 |
172,767,798 |
|
Health Technology (IM) |
Deputy Director: Information Management |
32 |
25,941,166 |
|
Epidemiology Technologists (IM) |
Deputy Director: Information Management |
18 |
14,715,735 |
|
Biostatistics (Medical Doctors) |
MO Gr 2 |
13 |
19,566,449 |
|
Public Health Specialist |
DPSA salary level 11 (NON OSD) |
2 |
2,231,276 |
|
Biomedical Engineer |
ASD Salary level 9 |
5 |
2,773,887 |
|
Nurse |
Gr3 |
1 |
528,852 |
|
|
|
187 |
239,181,933 |
END.