MEDICAL STUDENTS IN CUBA AND ALLOWANCES

Authorities in Honiara say Solomon Islands medical students studying in Cuba should already be getting their allowances.

Dr Cendrick Alependava told the Public Accounts Committee hearing this morning that Solomon Islands Ambassador at the United Nations Collin Beck has travelled to Cuba with the students' allowances this week.

Dr. Alependava says all 74 medical students studying in Cuba will have been given their seven months allowances this week by Ambassador Beck.

The plight of the students were highlighted in the media and press in the past days, prompting the government to act quickly.

Dr Alependava told the committee that difficulty in sending money through to Cuba has been one of the reasons for the delay of the students' allowances.

He said the ministry of health is working closely with foreign affairs to ensure this problem does not happen again.

He further added that the health ministry is planning to send a further 26 students to Cuba.

Source: SIBC