Question NW43 to the Minister of Health
23 February 2024 - NW43
Sonti, Ms NP to ask the Minister of Health
Which hospitals and healthcare facilities in rural areas do not have doctors, considering statements from his department that doctors reject placement in rural facilities?
Reply:
The departmental statement referring to some medical doctors rejecting placement in rural facilities is based on historic trends that led to delays with recruitment for rural hospitals as well as the recent Internship and Community Service Placement (ICSP) statistics. During the 2023/2024 cycle, the Department received 109 appeals against placements for Community Services Medical Officer posts with majority being posts in rural facilities.
However, the Department can confirm that there are medical doctors in all hospitals and healthcare facilities that are designated to have medical doctors as part of the workforce, including those in rural areas.
END.