Question NW2651 to the Minister of Social Development
09 October 2023 - NW2651
Abrahams, Ms ALA to ask the Minister of Social Development
With regard to the temporary disability grant backlog in the Western Cape and the fact that there are only 11 assessment doctors in the province, what (a) measures has her department taken to address the shortage of assessment doctors and (b) total number of assessment doctors have been successfully recruited to date?
Reply:
a) It is important to put the backlog into context. The current medical assessment backlog in the Western Cape comprises of persons who wish to apply for a disability-related grant for the first time, applications that have been previously rejected and or persons who were granted temporary Disability Grant (TDG).
To address the shortage of assessment doctors, SASSA WC has since inception, entered into Service Level Agreements (SLA’s) with all districts of the Provincial Department of Health for the provision of medical assessment services. The implementation of the SLA Provincial is hampered by the shortage of doctors and other health practitioners who can perform proper medical assessments.
b) In July this year, SASSA embarked on a procurement process for Independent Health Practitioners. An advert for a three (3) year tender was issued with a closing date of 14th July 2023. SASSA WC is in the process of issuing award letters to fourteen (14) successful bidders. The appointed doctors will be provided with schedules to speed up medical assessments, with specific focus on areas where the need for medical assessments remain high.