Question NW1180 to the Minister of Health
10 May 2016 - NW1180
America, Mr D to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) What is the total number of applications for registration from doctors who were trained in other countries that were received by the Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) (i) in (aa) 2010, (bb) 2011, (cc) 2012, (dd) 2013, (ee) 2014 and (ff) 2015 and (ii) since 1 January 2016, (b) what is the total number of the specified doctors who successfully registered in each of the specified years and (c) what are the main reasons for unsuccessful applications; (2) is there a target processing time set for applications received from the specified doctors to register with the HPCSA from initial application to completion of registration; if not, why not; if so, (a) what is the target time, (b) what is the actual average processing time for the specified applications, (c) what are the main reasons for delays in the processing of the specified applications and (d) what steps have been put in place to address the delays?
Reply:
(1) (a) and (b) The following table reflects the details in this regard
|
No |
Year |
Applications Received |
Successfully Registered |
Percentage Registered |
|
aa |
2010 |
369 |
324 |
87.80% |
|
bb |
2011 |
238 |
237 |
99.58% |
|
cc |
2012 |
349 |
216 |
61.89% |
|
dd |
2013 |
527 |
275 |
52.18% |
|
ee |
2014 |
541 |
412 |
76.16% |
|
ff |
2015 |
383 |
336 |
87.73% |
|
2016 |
142 |
135 |
95.07% |
(c) The reasons for unsuccessful applications are due to the following:
- Curriculum not equivalent to the South African Education system
- Failure to submit verified credentials
- Failure to comply with DOH Foreign Workforce requirements, and,
- Incomplete documents
(2) (a) and (b) Yes, there is a target processing time of six weeks. The specified period entail assessment of applications for regulatory compliance, administrative compliance and submission to the relevant committee for consideration. Upon approval of the application, it takes 21 days to finalise applications for registration.
(c) The delays are influenced by the following:
- Curriculum not equivalent to the South African Education system
- Failure to submit verified credentials
- Failure to comply with DOH Foreign Workforce requirements, and,
- Incomplete documents
(d) The process of reviewing and considering applications from foreign qualified practitioners is being reviewed with the aim of eliminating the delays.
END.