The South African government will pay more than R239 million in salaries for the 187 members of the Cuban medical brigade, who, according to Minister of Health Zweli Mkhize, are specialists in areas in which South Africa has shortages.
"To date, the Republic of Cuba has availed 187 medical specialists, who will be assisting South Africa in the response to Covid-19," reads Mkhize's response.
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The government also shelled out R734 100 for the brigade's registration with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), but this will be recovered.
However, as per the Government-to-Government Agreement, the South African [government] pays the fee to the HPCSA and, thereafter, deduct the full amount of registration from the individual health professionals' first salary.
This means there is no actual cost to be incurred by the South African government, however, it is a convenient process arranged to ensure that all of the professionals are registered accordingly," Mkhize's answer explained.
