City Press reports that the SA Medical Association (SAMA) has sounded an alarm about the crisis of jobless doctors, with 1,800 of them in limbo after having completing their community service nationwide.
SAMA said it had been informed that the number of intern posts at Groote Schuur Hospital had decreased dramatically over the past few years, from 120 in 2022 to a shocking 34 in 2025. According to the association, this was a stark reminder of the devastating impact of the funding crisis on junior doctors and the healthcare system. SAMA spokesperson Zimkhita Mafanya said: “SAMA finds it unacceptable that our country cannot provide employment opportunities for these dedicated and highly skilled professionals, and more so for services that are critically needed by our communities. The consequences of this situation are far-reaching and have significant implications for the delivery of healthcare services.” She pointed out that the failure to appoint junior doctors affected not only the doctors themselves, but also had a ripple effect on the entire healthcare system. To understand the scope of the crisis better, SAMA has launched a nationwide survey to gather data on the allocation and filling of vacancies in hospitals nationwide. Mafanya said the survey would provide valuable insights into the number of posts allocated and filled in each hospital, allowing the organisation to understand better the extent of the crisis and its impact on healthcare service delivery. She urged all healthcare professionals and hospitals to participate in this survey and provide accurate information on the allocation and filling of vacancies.
- Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sipho Mabena at City Press (subscription / trial registration required)
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