A budget set at R1.78 billion will be used to fund the recruitment of doctors.
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The National Health Council has announced the approval of 1 200 new positions for doctors.
The decision comes after years of budgetary constraints that hindered the employment of medical professionals despite dissatisfaction and urgent need.
Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi said in the presentation of a new budget by the Finance Minister on March 12, R1.78 billion was allocated to fund the recruitment of healthcare workers.
In addition to the 1 200 doctors, Mr Motsoaledi said the council has approved the hiring of 200 nurses and 250 other healthcare professionals. He told journalists that human resources units will soon commence with recruitment processes once all logistics have been finalised.
“Early this year, the country woke up to widespread dissatisfaction about the employment of healthcare professionals, especially doctors amid a shortage in the public healthcare system,” the minister said. “However, this development marks a turning point for the public healthcare sector, which has been struggling to meet the demands of a growing population. The Council’s decision is expected to alleviate pressure on existing healthcare facilities and improve access to quality medical care for citizens.”
Mr Motsoaledi said the council emphasised its commitment to addressing the challenges facing the system and ensuring that the sector is adequately staffed to deliver essential services. He added that the council is a statutory body consisting of the Minister of Health, all nine Health MECs, the South African Local Government Association (SALGA) and the Surgeon General of South African Military Health Services.
“One of the most embarrassing experiences the public health sector had to endure is the shortage of simple things that will make the stay of patients a worthwhile experience. In fact, one of the biggest differences between the public and private sectors are the hotelling services characterised by the issues mentioned,” said Mr Motsoaledi.
He said the council has decided to purchase 25 000 beds, 80 000 mattresses, 7 655 bassinets for new babies, and 1 250 million linens, including bed sheets and pillows, for a total of R1.346 billion.
“We have checked with all the provinces for what they need in the form of hospital beds and bassinet for newborn babies. We remember with a sense of shame how babies were put in cardboard boxes in Mahikeng hospital in the North West province,” the Minister said.
He added that during the council meeting held last November, a decision was taken for the review of some of the ‘outdated’ human resources policies. He said some of them have created unnecessary costs without any tangible benefits. While others have contributed to the undermining of the public sector’s ability to deliver quality services.
The community service policy, which focuses on the deployment of medical practitioners and the rural allowance policy, designed for medical practitioners serving in remote rural locations, will also be looked into.
The committee members include Dr Cassius Lubisi, Sibongile Mchunu, Professor Laetitia Rispel, Professor Eric Buch, Dr Terence Carter, Dr Rajen Morar, Professor Binu Luke, Nomvula Marawa, Professor Busisiwe Ncama and Professor Somadoda Fikeni.