Gauteng medical students depart for training in Cuba

Eighteen young recruits from disadvantaged backgrounds in Gauteng, South Africa, are traveling to Cuba to pursue medical studies through the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical (NMFC) Training Programme.

Supported by the Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH), the initiative aims to develop future healthcare leaders to improve access to quality services in underserved and rural communities. The training is intended to support Primary Health Care services and the future implementation of National Health Insurance (NHI).

The selection process was highly competitive, with approximately 2,480 applications received. Candidates were chosen based on academic performance, socioeconomic circumstances, and potential contribution to the healthcare sector. Priority was given to learners from households with an annual income of R350,000 or less and those from Quintile 1 to 3 schools.