Cuban medical specialists cost SA R239 million

The South African government will pay more than R239 million in salaries for the 187 members of the Cuban Health Brigade, who, according to Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, are specialists in areas in which SA has shortages.

Democratic Alliance MP Siviwe Gwarube asked for more information on the Cuban doctors, who arrived in South Africa to help fight the Covid-19 pandemic amid much fanfare on 27 April.

“The Republic of Cuba has availed 187 medical specialists, who will be assisting South Africa in the response to Caovid-19,” said Mkhize’s response.

He added they were specialists in areas that SA was unable to produce enough capacity in.

“These are qualified in biostatisticians, epidemiologists, family physicians and health technologists,” he said.

One hundred and sixteen family physicians, whose salaries total R172 767 798;

Thirty-two health technologists, whose salaries total R25 941 166;

Eighteen epidemiology technologists, whose salaries total R14 715 735;

Thirteen biostatisticians, whose salaries total R19 566 449;

Five biomedical engineers, whose salaries total R2 773 887;

Two public health specialists, whose salaries total R2 231 276; and

One nurse, whose salary is R528 852.

This brings the total salaries to 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 two 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,” said Mkhize’s explanation on how the salaries were calculated.

The government also shelled out R734 100 for the brigade’s registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), but this will be recovered.

“It is the norm that the registration cost is paid by an individual health professional to the council. However, as per the government-to-government agreement, the SA [government] pays the fee to the HPCSA and, deducts the full amount of registration from the individual health professionals’ first salaries.

“This means there is no actual cost to be incurred by the SA government.

“However, it is a convenient process arranged to ensure that all of the professionals are registered accordingly,” said Mkhize. – News24 Wire