By Nangamso Mabindla
7 September 2004

THE Eastern Cape department of health's bid to improve the province's health care in rural areas is well on track with the fifth group of medical students leaving for Cuba to hone their skills.

The programme, aimed at producing good doctors for the province, was initiated in 1999. At the end of their foreign training, the students return to South Africa to complete their course at the University of Transkei in Mthatha.

At a farewell function held in Bhisho on Friday, 3 September, selection committee member Silwana Kwadjo said the department wanted more doctors to work in the province's impoverished rural areas.

Dr Delgado Bustillo from the Cuban embassy said he was impressed with the marks obtained by the students. "These are the best I have ever seen and I hope you will finish the course."

However, Kwadjo said she was concerned about female students who obtained low marks in maths and science. "If boys can achieve such marks, you can do the same."

The students were encouraged to do their best in Cuba and make the department and the province's people proud.

Queen of the Rharhabe kingdom, Noloyiso Sandile, said: "Through this effort you will be able to improve health care in the province. You have a responsibility to turn the tide and show the capacity of our healthcare system."

"You are going there for the nation and you must use this opportunity because when you come back you will need to impart your skills to improve the lives of our people," he added, urging the students to remember the plight of their communities after completing their training.

Keynote speaker at the function, Dr Nomso Ngondwana from the South African National Defence Force, put everyone's concerns in a nutshell: "We want you to come back and change the frail healthcare system in the province. You are sent by the nation, please come back to help our people in rural areas."

One student, Ayanda Tongo, assured the officials they would do everything in their power to make the Eastern Cape proud.

"We will come back and go to work in rural areas because nobody wants to work there," he promised.