KZN medical students return to Cuba
NTOKOZO Gumbi of Pongola is among 206 medical students who returned to Cuba last week to continue their study programme.
Gumbi who departed this past weekend and will begin his fifth year of study said he is looking forward to completing and be re-integrated into the South African health system next year.
‘Cuba has one of the best training programmes for a doctor in the world.
‘The exposure to patients, treatment of patients and the skills we’re getting there is very good.
‘When we come back for vacation work, we see the skills learnt in Cuba working.
‘We are really appreciative of the Department of Health, both national and provincial and we thank them for this opportunity,’ he said.
Gumbi said he wants to come back and empower his community about health issues.
‘When we return we want to start health centres, so we can use our knowledge to prevent diseases.
‘It’s not all about curing diseases, because sometimes it’s not easy, but the focus should be on preventing them. I want to empower my own people so they can empower others,’ he said.
The fourth and fifth-year medical students returned to Cuba after being home for the holidays since early July.
Speaking at the send-off ceremony at Inkosi Albert Luthuli Central Hospital last week, Health MEC Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo encouraged the students to focus on their studies so that they can make their families and communities proud.
‘There’s a lot of pressure on you to go back and complete your studies. You must return and wipe away your families’ tears and be good citizens who are able to contribute economically and uplift your families before you help us as doctors.
‘You must look forward to continuing your studies because you will come back and break the chain of poverty at home and contribute to the improvement of our health systems.
‘So, we urge you to work hard and make sure you use existing channels to communicate whatever difficulties you might encounter,’ Dhlomo said.