The Department of Health (DoH) is confident that they will be able to place medical interns and community service doctors despite budget cuts.
Their announcement came after an article was published by a prominent news outlet article regarding the placement of medical interns and community service doctors. The article suggests that National Treasury budget cuts may impact the placement of nearly 200 health workers in community service roles.
The DoH says the article is misleading and untrue. They say that in collaboration with provincial Departments of Health, they have diligently ensured the allocation of all essential health professionals for the 2024 intake as of 12 December 2023.
They emphasised that positions for medical interns and most categories of community service have been successfully addressed.
The shortfalls in other areas of need, excluding medical interns and most categories of community service, are being addressed as a matter of urgency
Despite the challenges it will face due to budgetary constraints, the department is actively addressing shortfalls in various areas, including eight dentist posts, eight dietitian posts, 38 physiotherapist posts, and 118 environmental health practitioner positions.
The department reassures all unplaced graduates meeting the minimum requirements will be allocated a placement.
The department would like to assure all unplaced graduates, who meet the minimum requirements, that all efforts are being made to have them allocated posts, and they will be kept abreast of the developments.
Furthermore, the department has successfully concluded the placement process for medical interns and community service applicants on the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP), scheduled to commence in the upcoming year.
The department announced on 5 December that it had concluded the process of placing medical interns and community service applicants on the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP), due to commence next year. The department said all successful applicants have been notified accordingly.
In total, the department received 10,386 applications through an online system, with 10,228 being South African citizens (including permanent residents) and 158 foreign nationals. As of the announcement, 9,395 applicants have been successfully placed in health facilities across the country.
Why Is This Important
In 1998 a community service policy was implemented that required health professionals to complete 12 months community service / 24 months Internship through remunerative work in the public sector. The purpose of the policy was to achieve better distribution of human resources for health to under-serviced areas and thereby improve equitable access to primary health care services. All eligible South African graduates from South African Universities must apply to be allocated for internship and community service each year within available resources.
The internship requires Medical graduates (Doctors) to complete a two-year internship program before registering as community service medical practitioners, as outlined in Section 61 of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974 and associated regulations.
Community Service legislation mandates that health professional graduates seeking independent practice must fulfil one year of paid community service at approved health establishments, as specified by the Minister of Health in the Government Gazette.
Graduates Applicable For Community Service:
Audiologist, Clinical Psychologist, Dentist, Diagnostic Radiographer, Diagnostic Sonographer, Dietician, Environmental Health Practitioner, Medical Practitioner, Nuclear Medicine, Radiographer, Occupational Therapist, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, Professional Nurse, Radiotherapy, Speech and Audiology Therapist and Speech Therapist.
