Johannesburg - A third-year South African student doctor has died in Cuba and authorities are investigating the circumstances that led to the tragedy in Havana.
The student died on Tuesday, but authorities have withheld the name.
The National Department of Health on Wednesday said it had "learned with shock and sadness about the passing on of one of the 3rd year Cuba-based South African medical student allegedly due to suicide yesterday in Havana".
The department said Cuban authorities were investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of the student before releasing any further details on the matter.
"We are in complete shock to learn about the death of one of our students as we were eagerly waiting to receive him back in the country to practice medicine and contribute to the development of our nation," said Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi.
“Our hearts and thoughts are with the family, relatives, colleagues and friends of the deceased in this darkest hour. We express our sincere condolences”.
The health department in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) is arranging trauma counselling for members of the family.
Last year, the department said KZN had 789 medical students in Cuba and 85 qualified doctors through this training programme.