1. (a) (i) None
(ii) None
(b) The total cost per student to date, depending on the Rand/Dollar Exchange Rate at the time of transfer, is reflected below and based on:
(i) Scholarship Programme, jointly funded by both Governments.
(ii) Expanded Training Programme (ETP) is wholly funded by the South African Government is reflected in the table 1 below:
Table: 1
Level |
Tuition Fees |
Meals & acc. |
Ave. cost Med. Ins. |
Stipend |
Preparatory |
$6000.00 |
$6022 |
$450 |
$2400.00 |
1st – 2nd Year |
$12, 500 |
$6022 |
$500 |
$2400.00 |
3rd – 4th Year |
$11, 500 |
$6022 |
$500 |
$2400.00 |
5th Year |
$13, 500 |
$6022 |
$600 |
$2400.00 |
(iii) Local Universities
Tuition fees at South African universities during the integration since inception until 2018 varies from one university to another. After the agreement signed with local universities, the cost of integration per student has been standardized since July 2018 and adjusted according to Consumer Price Index. Students have all to be in the clinical training platform for 18 months which translates into three (3) semesters. Additional costs included transportation of the final year students to local universities which depends on the mode of transport and distance to the university.
(2) Yes
This was a shortfall for the 2019/2020 academic period of students in Cuba. The shortfall was because the exchange rate baseline that was used in calculating tuition fees for students in Cuba was at R15 for the 2019/2020 academic period. Since the exchange rate escalated so much above the base line, this meant that the amount transferred to Cuba was lower than the amount received from Provincial Department of Health. The amount transferred to Cuba did not cover the total amount due.
(3) (a) (i)(ii)(iii) See Table 1 above
(iv) None known
(v) Additional costs include two return flight tickets per student during six years and/ or during a bereavement of next of kin.
(4) The department has just concluded an internal audit and reconciliation exercise from October 2021 to November 2021.The findings have been sent to Provinces for review and approval. Provinces have been requested to correct the findings by 17 December 2021.
END.