South Africa's healthcare crisis: 1800 doctors jobless due to government budget cuts
“There are many areas where we can trim,” argues South African Medical Association Chairperson Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa.
Doctor / Pexels: Karolina Grabowska
South African Medical Association Chairperson Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa joins Africa Melane.
Listen below.
South Africa is facing a crippling shortage of medical professionals, resulting in a strained healthcare system, yet almost 2000 qualified medical doctors are without jobs.
The Health Department says budget constraints mean there is no money to employ newly-qualified doctors.
Mzukwa says it is an unacceptable situation that results in young doctors taking their costly South African training overseas.
"It's really a concern to the medical profession. If you look at the doctor-to-patient ratio; it's far less than what is recommended by the WHO."
- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - SAMA
The World Health Organisation recommends a doctor-to-patient ratio of one doctor for every 1,000 people.
South Africa's doctor-to-patient ratio is at critical shortage levels, with 0.31 doctors per 1,000 people.
"It means one doctor is looking after 3,000 patients... you can imagine that it is worse in rural areas."
- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - SAMA
Mzukwa says the failure to employ these doctors means they will seek positions overseas in places like the UK, Canada and New Zealand.
"We've invested in these doctors. Just sending one doctor to university costs millions of rands."
- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - SAMA
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi says there is simply no budget to 'absorb' the young doctors.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika, Motsoaledi said, "The issue of unemployed graduates has been ongoing for a while, and it’s not only doctors. Yes, there is a shortage of doctors in 90% of the world, but to hire them, you need resources."
Mzukwa says SAMA does not believe the government's austerity measures should be applied to the health sector.
"It should be the last one. We look at Parliamentarians, we look at the bloated cabinet, we look at the ministers, deputy ministers. At some departments, you've got two deputy ministers. What for?"
- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - SAMA
"There are many areas where we can trim."
- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson - SAMA
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