Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla Announces Appointment of 270 Unemployed Doctors

• Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla said that the department has issued 270 appointment letters to unemployed doctors in the country
• Phaahla was answering questions in Parliament and revealed that this came after Treasury allocated R3.7 billion to the department
• Some South Africans welcomed the announcement, and others questioned its validity

Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, has covered policy changes, the State of the Nation Address, politician-related news and elections at Daily Sun and Vutivi Business News for over seven years. Do you have a hard news story you would like to share? Email tebogo.mokwena@briefly.co.za with CA in the subject line.

CAPE TOWN – Minister of Health Dr Joe Phaahla revealed that the department has issued over 200 employment letters to unemployed doctors following a public outcry by unemployed doctors who have struggled to get employment.

Read also

Senior African National Congress eThekwini official arrested

Over 200 doctors appointed

According to SABC News, Dr Phaahla answered questions during an oral questioning session by the National Assembly. The Members of Parliament interrogated him about the struggles of doctors who took to the streets to protest, demanding to be given jobs. Phaahla revealed that the nine provinces have advertised vacant positions for those who are unemployed.

Phaahla also revealed that out of 800 who submitted their details, 270 had been given their appointment letters. When asked how many doctors his department will hire, Phaahla responded that out of 2 200 doctors who finished their community service, he has no idea how many want to work in the public sector.

South Africans have mixed feelings

Netizens on Facebook were on two sides of the debate. Some welcomed the news.

Read also

Community searches for Joslin Smith after 4 suspects arrested, South Africans prayerful

Theresa Le Roux-Rossouw said:

"Thank goodness. We need more doctors."

Abubakar Tafawa Balewa said:

"Great move."

Others, though, were not impressed

Danny Macario said:

"Only after protests and frustrations were spoken out on social media is when the government does its jobs consistently and in integrity."

Diehard De Classic said:

"Still, we are not going to lose focus. What remains is that ANC must be removed."

Lerato Moeti asked

"In a country with a shortage of doctors, how on earth are doctors unemployed?"

Unemployed medical graduates struggle

Similarly, Briefly News reported that the South African Medical Association blames the government's poor planning and corruption on unemployed doctors.

The association said that the Minister of Health admitted to a shortage, which they attribute to inadequate governance. South Africans are disappointed in the ANC and accused it of running the country into the ground.

Source: Briefly News