Question NW2688 to the Minister of Health
20 December 2021 - NW2688
Ismail, Ms H to ask the Minister of Health
Whether, with regard to the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme, he considered the South African rand to US dollar exchange rate when sending money to Cuba; if not, why not; if so, do students receive their allocated stipend, or is the charges and/or fees occurring in the specified exchange subtracted from their monthly stipend amount?
Reply:
In terms of the Agreement between South Africa and Cuba, the amount payable for tuition fees for students in Cuba is billed in US dollars and payable by the National Department of Health based on the exchange rate at the date of transfer. The amount payable is fixed per level of study per student. Stipend is also billed in US dollars.
All year calculations are made based on the current exchange rate which might fluctuate from time-to-time. The fluctuation is always accommodated to ensure that it does not negatively affect the budgeted amount. On a monthly basis students receive their stipend of USD 200.
There are no charges or fees subtracted on the stipend regardless of the exchange rate. END.