01/09/2026
The Gauteng Department of Health is biddding farewell 18 young aspiring doctors from disadvantaged communities across the province who are going to pursue medical studies in Cuba through the Nelson Mandela Fidel Castro (NMFC) Medical Training Programme.
Selected from a highly competitive pool of 2 480 applicants, these future doctors come from all five districts of Gauteng. The programme continues to open doors for academically deserving learners from low-income households to realise their dreams of becoming medical professionals.
The NMFC Programme is more than a scholarship. It is an investment in youth development, social upliftment and the future of healthcare. It creates opportunities for young people who may otherwise not have access to medical training due to socio-economic barriers.
Since the programme's inception, 463 Gauteng students have graduated as doctors and are now serving in public healthcare facilities across the province, helping to strengthen healthcare delivery and improve access to quality healthcare services.
Upon completion of their studies, this new cohort will join the province's healthcare workforce, bringing valuable skills in primary healthcare, prevention and community-based care.