The Eastern Cape Health department officially welcomed thee Cuban doctors, at a special event in East London on Thursday.
Speaking at the event, Health MEC Dr Phumza Dyantyi said this programme started in 1996 and they normally when time comes, giving out the specialities of their interest.
Dyantyi went on to say in most instances, the department calls for family medicine doctors to work in rural areas because there is a shortage.
She added that they will be allocated in the Bufallo City, OR Tambo and the Joe Gqabi Districts.
"The training in Cuba is primarily preventative. We want that, because for us to be able to continue our NHI, we need people who are clued up" she said.
One of the Doctors, Felipe Memdez, said he has more than 20 years in practice and had come to South Africa in 2001, spent 3 years practicing in rural areas around Ngcobo in the Eastern Cape.
Picture: from left Dr. Yosvany Reyes, Dr. Odalis Belen, MEC for healt Dr. Phumza Dyantyi and Dr Felipe Memdez
