# Health minister Aaron Motsoaledi has denied that the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro medical collaboration programme is wasteful and has inefficiencies. The programme trains South African students to become healthcare practitioners in Cuba and South Africa. Since its establishment, the programme has been criticised for being impractical and too expensive. In a written reply to a parliamentary question, Motsoaledi said funding students for the programme is costing his department around 23-million-rand annually. He adds that governance structures are in place to protect the interests of students and the country.
Minister Motsoaledi defends the Cuba-South Africa medical programme