State of doctor placements now critical – Solidarity 

8 February 2024

“Solidarity’s professional networks in the medical sector are concerned about the critical point reached with the placement of doctors,” says Peirru Marx, Network Coordinator of Solidarity’s medical sector, in his open letter to Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla.

Reportedly, there are around 690 recently graduated doctors who are currently unemployed, and the pressure on an already overburdened health system is worsening.

“The fact that many young doctors have to study and look for work abroad is a clear indication of the lack of job opportunities and financial constraints within the South African medical sector,” says Marx.

According to Marx, the placement of doctors has almost reached breaking point, and this on the brink of the enactment of the National Health Insurance (NHI) Bill. Marx, as well as other experts point out that South Africa is losing a vast amount of valuable medical talent due to a lack of job opportunities and financial support from the state.

Marx emphasises the serious impact this shortage of doctors has, especially compared to other countries that depend on state health services. “With a shortage of 10,3 times fewer doctors compared to such countries, South Africa thus has only 0,3 doctors per 1 000 patients,” he says.

The battle is further complicated by the government’s planned implementation of the NHI. “The NHI Bill has already been strongly contested by Solidarity and other organisations within the medical sector, but the government, however, refuses to listen to the experts and the public,” says Marx.

The irony of the situation is clearly seen in the government’s inability to even address the immediate needs of recent medical graduates, and this while they are trying to implement a large-scale health insurance system.

Solidarity is currently involved in a series of legal battles against the NHI Bill in an attempt to protect the interests of the medical profession and those of recent graduates.

“We are determined to fight for the rights of doctors all the way to the highest courts, in an attempt to bring about changes in the current policy climate that can support the medical sector and ensure the continuation of quality healthcare in South Africa,” says Marx. Read the letter here.

Issued by Pierru Marx, Network Coordinator: Medical Sector, Solidarity, 8 February 2024