Question NW4062 to the Minister of Health
14 December 2023 - NW4062
Hicklin, Ms MB to ask the Minister of Health
What (a) total number of applications have been received for positions of (i) interns and (ii) community service doctors in 2024, (b) number of applicants have already been placed in each case and (c) is the deadline for final placement in each case?
Reply:
The National Department of Health opened the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) application site from 4 October until 23 October 2023. Applicants and all relevant stakeholders including students representatives by the form of Unions and Associations were informed accordingly.
As a result, it is appreciated that a total of 10 495 applicants headed a call and applied for medical internship and community service positions.
a) (i) A total of 2 403 medical interns (i.e. South African Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals) applied for medical internship positions. However, priority for allocation of the applicants is in accordance with the South African employment Regulations and Acts (i.e. including the Immigration Act of 2004, as amended) that prioritizes allocations to South African Citizens and Permanent Residents into funded positions.
(ii) A total of 2 391 medical doctors community service (i.e. South African Citizens, Permanent Residents and Foreign Nationals) applied for medical internship positions. However, priority for allocation of the applicants is in accordance with the South African employment Regulations and Acts (i.e. including the Immigration Act of 2004, as amended) that prioritizes allocations to South African Citizens and Permanent Residents into funded positions.
b) (i) 2 354 applicants were eligible for placement based on the citizenship priority processes as mentioned above and have since been notified of their placement outcomes.
Some outcomes were unfavourable to the applicants with reasons as follows:
- 113 have been declared not eligible for this Cycle by HPCSA
- 6 applicants to commence duty from 1 July 2024
- 1 applicant retracted his allocation due to other commitments
(ii) 2 387 applicants were eligible for placement based on the citizenship priority processes as mentioned above and 2 158 have since been notified of their allocation. The remaining 229 applicants to commence duty from 1 March 2024 and will be allocated in January 2024
(c) The ICSP has two cycles, January and July intake, for allocation designed to accommodate applicants who complete and confirmed eligible at different intervals. As a result the department ensures that those that are eligible to assume duty on 1st January are duly allocated and appointed before commencing duty.
The department is considerate and mindful that the applicants need to make necessary arrangements, including travelling, hence ensuring that applicants are notified a month before the intake date.
END.