Mwanza University to get scholars from Cuba

Mwanza. At least 15 healthcare trainers from Cuba are expected anytime from now to join their colleagues at Mwanza University to train students in the health field.

The revelation was made in Mwanza yesterday by the Cuban Ambassador to Tanzania, Yordenis Despaigne, following his visit to the Mwanza University premises located in the Igoma area of Mwanza City.

The new university has already admitted 94 students in various health courses, including medicine.

Speaking to journalists about Ambassador Despaigne’s visit, the Mwanza University Vice Chancellor, Professor Flora Fabian, said the expected professors from Cuba are in the fields of surgery, paediatrics, ENT, and gynaecology.

She said according to the university’s request to the Cuban government through their ambassador in Tanzania, other professors will be received in the fields of medicine, including sleeping pills, radiation tests, and emergency doctors.

“Our college is new and has been receiving students since October 2023,” she further noted.

She said the college has 94 students in the medicine course.

“The problem we are facing is the shortage of lecturers. That is why we have requested the Cuban embassy to assist,’’ said the vice chancellor.

Professor Fabian added that the college has scholars from the neighbouring countries of Kenya and Uganda who cooperate with their local colleagues to train the students as they wait for the arrival of experts from Cuba.

Professor Fabian said the college has also sent 13 doctors for training in various health fields, intending to increase the number of local expert lecturers.

Talking about practical training, Professor Fabian said the college management is implementing a hospital construction project that, in addition to providing services to the public, will also be used for practical training for students.

“The plan for the construction of the hospital, which will have 10 floors, has already been submitted to the Mwanza City Council for permission to start construction,” said Professor Fabian.

Speaking after inspecting the facilities of the college in Igoma Mwanza, ambassador Despaigne promised to assist the newly established higher learning institution in finding specialist doctors from Cuba.

The diplomat applauded the management of Mwanza University for investing in distance learning saying it will help to deal with the shortage of experts.

Ms Catherine Robert, one of the medical students at the college, said the arrival of expert doctors from Cuba will provide an opportunity for local experts and students to learn a lot from them, provided that Cuba has made great strides in the area of human health.

“Cuba has experts with great experience in the field of health; their arrival will benefit us professionally,’’ said Catherine.