Question NW1323 to the Minister of Health
05 May 2022 - NW1323
King, Ms C to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) is the current ratio of (i) doctor to patient and (ii) nurse to patient in public hospitals and (b) total number of medical professions are on the critical skills list?
Reply:
(a) (i) The current ratio of doctor to patient in public sector is 1:3198.
(ii) The current ratio of Nurse to patient in public sector is 1:357.
This is based on the following:
- The current total of Medical Doctors in the public health sector is 16 073.
- There are currently 144 090 Nurses appointed in the public health sector as of 31 March 2022. (This total includes all categories of nurses) (i.e., in all 9 Provinces including the National Department of health) recorded on the 31 March 2022 PERSAL System date set.
- Based on the Stats SA mid-year population estimates 2021, the current South African population is 60.14 million, with 4.05 million registered members, serving 8.94 million beneficiaries (i.e., insured population according to the 2021 Council of Medical Schemes data); and
- Approximately 51.4 million citizens are uninsured, and they depend on the public sector hospitals.
(b) From 01 April 2017 to 31 March 2021 the National Department of Health has supported 1356 Medical doctors to apply for critical skill visa with Department of Home Affairs.
END.