Thulisile Mapongwana
The South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) has expressed deep concern over the escalating crisis of qualified doctors who remain unemployed after completing their community service.
The union reports that in just 24 hours, it recorded over 450 unemployed doctors, and the number is still rising.
In a statement, SAMATU criticized the National Department of Health for failing to develop a clear strategy to retain these skilled professionals, despite years of engagement with successive health ministers.
Provincial Chairperson Dr. Mpumelelo Melamane said the union engaged with the Head of Department and the MEC last year to prevent the issue of unemployed doctors and the need for mass action for the fourth consecutive January. He stated that the department announced it had no funds to hire doctors during the meeting.
In the Eastern Cape, over 150 unemployed doctors are picketing outside the Premier's office in Bhisho this week, demanding jobs.
On Monday, they handed a memorandum to the chief of staff, Siyabulela Onceya, calling for the reallocation of funds across departments and vowing not to leave without confirmed start dates for their employment.
Dr. Melamane said the union fully supports the picket but rejects claims that the department lacks funds.
“There is no need for a reallocation of funds. There are funds within the department; it is just a question of political will,” he said.
He pointed out that millions of rands are allocated in the 2024/25 financial year for hospital refurbishments and building new wings in existing facilities.
“They cannot commit such funds to build new hospitals when they do not have people to work in those facilities. If you are not employing a doctor, you are denying the people of South Africa their right to access health care,” he added.
Dr. Melamane emphasized that the provincial Department of Health (DOH) should employ doctors after they complete their community service. He also highlighted that some doctors are bursary holders, obligating the Eastern Cape Department of Health to employ them.
He warned that if administrators are unwilling to make necessary changes, the union might be forced to organize mass action, which he described as "totally unnecessary" but a potential last resort.
“As a union, we have not resolved to make a formal strike, but we might be forced to if nothing changes,” he said.
SAMATU’s statement also criticized the Minister of Health for suggesting that unemployed doctors should pivot to private practice or seek employment abroad.
“It is troubling that the Minister would make such reckless statements while his office is actively working on implementing the National Health Insurance (NHI).
It says "The success of the NHI hinges on strengthening human resources in public hospitals. The lack of urgency in addressing the strengthening of human resources in the public sector will make the implementation of the NHI impossible,” the statement said.
“This disconnect only serves to deepen the divide between administrative decision-makers and our diligent medical professionals on the ground,” it concluded.
The union urged the Ministry of Health to implement an immediate and comprehensive strategy to employ these doctors, ensuring their skills are used to strengthen the public healthcare system.
