Photo by Nicholas Nthenge/KNA.
Kenya doctors studying in Cuba have expressed their satisfaction with the quality of studies offered by the Cuban government.
In the report received today by Ministry of Health Cabinet Secretary Sicily Kariuki, the team sent last month to assess the academic Programme and the lifestyle of the students have however documented a high cost of living in Cuba.
The CS while holding a brief at Afya House, Nairobi further indicated that the government will increase the allowance offered to Kenyan students in studying in Cuba so as to cushion them against the high cost of living in Cuba.
“The ministry of health has already moved swiftly to address the challenges posed by the high cost of living by providing an enhanced allowance, which will allow students to seek accommodation outside the university premises,” she said.
The CS also noted that according to the report, the students are progressing well with the programme and that they expressed satisfaction with the quality of teaching and academic staff.
“As the Kenya government implements the ‘Big Four’ Agenda, the Cuban model of healthcare provides lessons and strategies in the primary healthcare (PHC). Kenya stands to gain immense knowledge from Cuba’s many years of experience in strengthening its health systems and providing Universal healthcare (UHC) for its citizens, despite the harsh economic condition” she added,” said the CS.
Present was Health PS Susan Mochache who confirmed that yesterday after holding a meeting with the House Departmental health committee they are all in agreement to support the mobile clinic project.
“ We are not on the stuck stage anymore, we now need the funds to boost the project since the mobile containers are at the port in Mombasa already awaiting to be dispatched all over the country,” she said.
The Programme the students are undertaking is designed for the Kenyan medicine students to acquire advanced knowledge in Cuba. Kenya is in cooperation with the Cuban government with 100 Cuban doctors currently deployed to government hospitals in the country.
by Yvonne Kadzo/Ian Muhari
