MBOMBELA – Following the protest by several unemployed medical doctors in Mpumalanga, the provincial government has initiated a recruitment drive to employ approximately 35 medical doctors.
The recruitment process was discussed in a meeting on Tuesday, February 4, at the government headquarters attended by Health MEC, Sasekani Manzini, Premier Mandla Ndlovu and members of the South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU).
This comes after several unemployed medical doctors who received government-funded bursaries to study medicine, recently took to the streets and marched to the provincial government offices to demand jobs. Many of them stated that they have been having difficulty finding employment, despite completing their studies.
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In response to the recent protest, the Health MEC announced that despite budget constraints, the 7th Administration is expediting the recruitment of medical doctors to provide essential healthcare support in hospitals across the province.
“The process is at an advanced stage and will culminate into the appointment of 25 medical doctors, who are currently unemployed,” said the MEC during the briefing.
MEC Manzini also announced that the government will soon advertise 10 additional posts, intensifying efforts to enhance the capacity of Mpumalanga’s health facilities. This move aims to provide quality healthcare access to all communities, including rural areas. As part of this initiative, a total of 35 medical doctors will be employed, bolstering the province’s healthcare workforce.
Meanwhile, Premier Mandla Ndlovu assigned the Department of Health to work closely with SAMATU to address various issues which the union has raised concerns.
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This development is a significant step towards improving the capacity of health facilities in Mpumalanga, particularly in rural areas. The employment of these medical doctors will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the healthcare sector in Mpumalanga.
