More than 200 Cuban health professionals arrived in South Africa on April 27 to help the country fight the COVID-19 pandemic. The group includes infectious disease specialists,community health specialists, epidemiologists, bio-statisticians, health-care technology engineers.
More than 1 000 Cuban doctors have been deployed to 22 countries including Togo, Angola and Cap Verde. South Africa currently has the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 infections in Africa.
According to Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, some of the doctors deployed to South Africa have been on the frontline of other outbreaks including the 2013 Ebola outbreak, and the 2010 cholera outbreak in Haiti.
Cuba’s government supported the African National Congress (ANC) when many South Africans rose up to fight the Apartheid system. As the ANC is now South Africa’s ruling party, relations with Cuba are remain strong.
On Sunday, May 25, Western Cape MEC for Health Nomafrench Mbombo – along with Department Head Keith Cloete – welcomed 26 doctors from the group to the province. Here, the medical professionals with join forces with local doctors to fight the pandemic that has swept the globe.
LTC Shuttle and Tours has provided transport to the doctors while they move around the Mother City assisting hospitals and clinics.
Picture/Video: Caleb Carelse, Managing Director of LTC Shuttle & Tours