GUEST Jack Bloom, the DA's shadow MEC for health
As the country battles with a shortage of doctors and over a thousand medical graduates are unemployed, Health Minister said there are about 100 Cuban doctors working in the country.
This is despite there being more than 1 000 qualified in the country who are unemployed. according to the SA Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu).
The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng has condemned the regional health department for recruiting Cuban doctors at a time of significant unemployment among local doctors. Jack Bloom, the DA's shadow MEC for health, expressed dismay, arguing that unemployed local doctors should be prioritised for employment opportunities.
He criticised the Gauteng health department for favouring Cuban doctors over qualified local professionals, whom he deemed more deserving.
Bloom insisted that the department should terminate all contracts with Cuban doctors and focus on utilising local talent