Question NW2181 to the Minister of Health
04 August 2015 - NW2181
Volmink, Mr HC to ask the Minister of Health
Is his department currently involved in a work exchange and/or employment agreement with the Republic of Cuba; if so, (a) what number of Cuban nationals (i) are currently employed and (ii) are due to be employed by his department, (b) what specific work roles are envisaged for the Cuban nationals, (c) what are the specific skill sets of each of the Cuban nationals (i) currently employed and (ii) due to be employed, (d) what are the details of the process followed to ensure that the same skill set was or is not available in the country and amongst South African citizens and (e) what is the total cost of the (i) employment or (ii) prospective employment of such Cuban nationals?
Reply:
Yes.
- (i) A total of 210 Cuban medical doctors.
(ii) A total of 26 Cuban medical doctors.
- Medical Practitioners.
- The following table reflects the details on the skills profile
(i) Currently employed:
|
Clinical Discipline |
Number |
|
Anaesthesia |
7 |
|
Anatomy |
1 |
|
Biochemistry |
1 |
|
Biostatistics |
1 |
|
Cardiology |
1 |
|
Clinical Laboratory |
1 |
|
Dermatology |
3 |
|
Embryology |
1 |
|
Ear Nose and Throat |
4 |
|
Epidemiology |
2 |
|
Family Medicine |
105 |
|
Gastroenterology |
1 |
|
General surgery |
13 |
|
Internal Medicine |
20 |
|
Maxillo Facial |
3 |
|
Neurology |
1 |
|
Obstetric and Gynaecology |
12 |
|
Opthalmology |
4 |
|
Orthopaedics |
8 |
|
Paediatrics |
8 |
|
Pathology |
1 |
|
Pharmacology |
1 |
|
Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery |
2 |
|
Psychiatry |
3 |
|
Public Health |
1 |
|
Urology |
3 |
|
Total |
210 |
(ii) Due to be employed
|
Clinical Discipline |
Number |
|
Cardiology |
1 |
|
Emergency Medicine |
1 |
|
Family Medicine |
10 |
|
Internal Medicine |
1 |
|
Maxillo Medicine |
1 |
|
Obstetrics and Gynaecology |
1 |
|
Opthalmology |
2 |
|
Orthopaedics |
2 |
|
Paediatrics |
4 |
|
Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery |
1 |
|
Radiology |
1 |
|
Rheumatology |
1 |
|
Total |
26 |
- It is generally acknowledged that there is a big shortage of medical doctors in the public health care system.
- The doctors recruited from Cuba earn the same remuneration as other doctors employed by the Government based on the years of experience and expertise.
END.