South African Medical Association is concerned about the number of interns that are still not placed.
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) is extremely concerned about the number of interns that are still not placed and is not satisfied with the reoccurring nature of this matter. The association supports the efforts of the National Department of Health (NDoH) to allocate interns who have not yet been placed due to a shortfall of posts, however, more should be done to speed-up the process, especially during a global pandemic where there is a shortage of doctors.
“The non-placement of interns is not a new problem and has persisted for many, many years and we empathise with all interns affected. SAMA will continue to engage the NDoH to resolve placements and we are committed to ensuring that every intern is accommodated,” says Dr Angelique Coetzee, Chairperson of SAMA.
SAMA has urged all interns who have not yet been placed to register on the SAMA website here to enable the association to follow-up with the NDoH on their behalf regarding their placements.
Dr Coetzee says the NDoH has committed to resolving the crisis by the end of the week, and that it must be given the opportunity to do so. However, she says these problems need a lasting solution going forward.
“We have problems with placements each and every year and it’s unfair on the interns who have worked so hard to reach that point. Our engagements with the NDoH will also now, and in future, focus heavily on resolving these issues because we cannot afford to have a situation where interns who are ready to work in resource-strapped institutions are sitting at home, without being placed. This needs a permanent and sustainable solution, and we are committed to ensuring we achieve that, as the current situation is simply unacceptable” concludes Dr Coetzee.