Question NW3112 to the Minister of Health
11 October 2023 - NW3112
Tito, Ms LF to ask the Minister of Health
With regard to an acute shortage of doctors in rural areas that affects service delivery, especially in Limpopo where there were over 80 doctors who had still not been placed in health facilities in July, (a) what are the reasons for the specified shortage, (b) out of the 80 doctors, what total number has been placed to date and (c) on what date will all healthcare workers in the province be placed?
Reply:
It was actually 81 medical doctors who were allocated/placed for community service at the Limpopo Department of Health by the National Department of Health on 15 June 2023. Their assumption of duty was delayed because the Limpopo Provincial Treasury requested that these 81 medical doctors, must first confirm whether they will be taking up this position prior to granting approval for the creation of the posts for their employment.
(a) Shortages in the public health sector especially in rural areas is due to budget constraints and lack of appetite by health professionals to work in rural areas,
(b) As mentioned above 81 medical doctors were placed and subsequently all of them have since assumed duty to date, and
(c) Placement for medical interns and community service doctors occurs twice in each year (i.e., 1 January and 1 July of each year).
END.