The Gauteng department of health has budgeted more than R612 million to compensate foreign medical professionals during the 2026/27 financial year. The disclosure has triggered criticism as hundreds of qualified South African doctors remain unemployed. Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Faith Mazibuko revealed the figures in a written response to ActionSA’s questions. According to the response, the department has 551…
Tag: Health Budget
-
Medical Negligence Claims Drop – But Billions Still At Stake
Payouts by provincial health departments for medical negligence have fallen significantly in recent years. Yet the financial burden on the public health system remains enormous. A landmark court ruling has also closed the door on one proposed solution. According to National Treasury figures, negligence payouts dropped from R1.8 billion in 2019/20 to R1.5 billion in 2023/24. Health Minister Dr Aaron…
-
Doctor Job Crisis Hits Post-Community Service Cohort
South Africa’s doctor employment bottleneck is back in the spotlight. The South African Medical Association Trade Union (Samatu) says 1,260 doctors who have completed community service remain unemployed. It also indicates approximately 1,100 vacant medical officer posts nationwide. Samatu’s junior doctors’ leadership says some clinicians have been without work for months. In some cases, the period extends for years. The…
-
Motsoaledi’s Budget Aims to Strengthen Health System
Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has outlined a budget of R64.8 billion for the 2025/26 financial year. He presented a plan to Parliament aimed at strengthening the public health system. This system has been battered by years of austerity and recent geopolitical challenges. Within Motsoaledi’s budget, there are strategies in place to address infrastructure issues and healthcare staff shortages. In…
-
Hiring Healthcare Professionals to Address Shortages
South Africa’s public health sector has received a potential boost. The National Health Council approved R1.78 billion. The funds are dedicated to hiring healthcare professionals. This offers hope to many unemployed health graduates. It also addresses the country’s critical staffing shortages. Hiring Healthcare Professionals to Address Gaps The NHC is the country’s top health decision-making body. It has earmarked the…
-
No relief in health budget for US cuts to grants for HIV/AIDS
The Treasury stated on Wednesday that no relief is in the budget to mitigate the impact of US President Donald Trump’s sudden termination of grants to HIV/AIDS organisations in South Africa. The Health Department has yet to finalise its analysis of the required resources. Trump’s administration has thrown organisations reliant on US foreign aid into turmoil worldwide, first with a…