News24 reports that the Department of Health (DOH) says it has concluded allocating the final batch of medical graduates for in-service training.

This follows months of delays. DOH spokesperson Popo Maja said the medical interns had been notified of allocated placements in their respective provinces, and it was expected that they would commence with their contractual appointments. Some 288 doctors, who graduated in March and April, have been awaiting placements for mandatory internships at public health facilities. Angelique Coetzee, chairperson of the SA Medical Association (Sama), confirmed that they had received information that 155 medical interns had been placed and would be getting their appointment letters. She said Sama would push for the appointment letters to be released as soon as possible by the various provinces. Separately, the department was served with a letter of demand last Thursday, giving it until Monday to organise community service placements. The letter, sent by Mabuza Attorneys, was on behalf of 465 doctors. Of this total, 298 were qualified medical doctors, of whom six were foreign nationals and 292 South African. A second group was made up of 167 community service doctors. Attorney Matthew Yeko, who is spearheading the litigation, told News24 that they had not heard from the department. "Our instructions are to proceed with the intended application to court," he advised.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Marvin Charles at News24

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