Nelson Mandela Castro Medical Programme may move to SA

CAPE TOWN - The Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro Medical Collaboration Programme may soon be moved from Cuba to South Africa.

The programme has been criticised for minimal progression since its inception in 1996 and its increasing costs.

The collaboration between South Africa and Cuba allowed students from disadvantaged backgrounds and rural areas to benefit by going to Cuba to study medicine.

The Western Cape is the only province that's never participated in the programme.

READ: SA's health emergency | Almost 600 doctors trained in Cuba graduate

Since 1996, the programme has produced 2,556 doctors -- some of whom have gone on to become specialists. 

The Western Cape Health Department says while no Western Cape students have been identified to go to Cuba, the department has been working with both UCT and Stellenbosch University over the years to support the increased intake of medical students.

The department says the Mandela/Castro students return to complete their studies at local universities and these include UCT and Stellenbosch.

The students also join the student clinical placements at Western Cape health facilities.

* eNCA's Ayesha Ismail reports.