[Marxism] IPS: Country Welcomes Cuban Doctors

[John]

On Fri, 2008-05-02 at 06:15 -0700, Walter Lippmann wrote:
> (This is for all of those radicals who complain 
> about the South African government and all of 
> its supposed failures in providing services.
> 
> (Instead of complaining, they should be grateful
> to the South African government for efforts like
> this to provide much needed medical care where
> other South Africans aren't willing to give it.)
> ==================================================

 It seems to me that all the kudos in this story should go to the
Cubans. The South Africans don't appear to have done anything remarkable
at all - unless accepting help from countries poorer than themselves
(South Africa's GDP is $13000 compared to Cuba's $3900) is something to
be proud of. By retaining a good relationship with Cuba, South Africa
has been able to benefit from the unequalled generosity that Cuba
extends through its medical aid program. Presumably in this case Cuba
does get something in return, since this is part of an inter-government
agreement between the two states - the article Walter posted doesn't
elaborate on this.

The bottom line is that South Africa had the opportunity to be a world
leader, like Cuba, or recently Venezuela. They've had years to train up
some of the highly dedicated and motivated activists who catapulted the
ANC into power. South Africa could have been providing doctors to the
rest of Africa instead of importing doctors, much needed elsewhere, from
Cuba.
Cheers,
John

ps. Lots of those South African doctors (along with other white
flighters) have taken up residence in New Zealand. It's funny how it's
impossible to find any who supported apartheid though...