R439m for 217 doctors: who’s Havana laugh?
The Cuban doctors’ bill raises questions about why SA, with lots of local skills on hand, found it necessary to bring them in
Mystery surrounds the SA government’s apparent decision to pay R439m to bring in 217 health-care professionals from Cuba. The group — nicknamed the Cuban brigade — consists of doctors, biostatisticians, epidemiologists and health technologists.While the government has yet to comment on the leaked documents outlining the spending, questions have arisen about why it appears to be paying R5.58m to put them up at Pretoria’s four-star Sierra Burgers Park hotel for their required 14-day quarantine. Their advisers’ accommodation was planned to cost another R7.7m.Yet that R5.6m figure is roughly double what it would cost to house 217 guests had they booked online at the going rate of R810 a night.When the FM visited the hotel on Sunday, military police were apparently in charge. Regular hotel staff all have medical-grade masks, but said they weren’t allowed to speak to the media. Sierra Hotel Group owner Sean Johnston hung up when contacted by the FM and did not return calls.Asked if the Cu...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.