SA medical students in Cuba on strike
2013-02-22 09:37
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Johannesburg - Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has written
letters to South African medical students in Cuba who embarked on an illegal
strike in order to define the government's position on the issue, his
department said on Thursday.
On 7 February, 187 of the 1 200 South African students
studying medicine in Cuba went on strike, spokesperson Joe Maila said.
Their demands include a more than 300% stipend increase,
that a health attaché be sent to Cuba, and that they no longer want to be
served any meal that contains pork.
Cultural differences
"In dealing with this matter the department suspected
that there might also be problems of cultural differences, adaptability and
perhaps psychosocial changes, which make it difficult for them to cope with
their studies," he said.
"In this regard, the department promptly dispatched a
team consisting of a senior social worker, a senior psychologist, HR manager
and a doctor... to assist the students accordingly."
He said the team joined the ambassador in Cuba, academic
staff at the university and the Cuban government to negotiate with the
students.
During the negotiations the students gave the embassy two
ultimatums, Maila added, including that the ambassador sign a document that
these demands will be met or they come back home.
"Ever since the South African-Cuban medical programme
started, South Africa has never had a health attaché in Cuba. The minister
decided last year already to appoint, and send a health attaché to Cuba."
The attaché was expected to start in January but had to
complete other commitments, and the department said it was "not
understandable why this matter is arising" because a decision was made a
long time ago.
Food demands
He added that on the issue of food, it has always been a
matter negotiated between students and universities, even in South Africa.
"Up to now we know of no student who has to abandon
studies because such a matter was not resolved. Our students in Cuba are
usually served alternate diets consisting of beef, chicken or pork.
"However, for the two or three weeks, the Cuban
government had problems in acquiring beef and chicken, hence they could only
serve what was available, which was pork," he added.
Maila added that the stipend would not change as
accommodation, food, transport and tuition is jointly sponsored by the two
governments.
"For the students to firmly believe that if such a
demand is not met they rather come back home, have left the minister with no
option but to grant them their wish, because under no condition will the
government be willing to meet such [an] outrageous and unreasonable demand of
$700 (about R6 218) per month.
"In the letter written to individual students, the minister
has stated this point unambiguously and emphasised that at no stage will such a
demand ever be entertained," he said.
The students currently receive a stipend of $200 (about R1 776).
- SAPA
