Health is hiring 20 doctors to boost NHI

THE Eastern Cape health department has earmarked R34-million to hire 20 doctors to boost the National Health Insurance programme.

The doctors will be based in the OR Tambo district, the province’s NHI pilot site.

Health superintendent-general Dr Thobile Mbengashe told the Daily Dispatch that the NHI programme was already doing well in the province. “The department of health is ready and willing to appoint the doctors.

“We are committed because the NHI programme has had a good response from patients. We have the money and the positions.

“The NHI has changed dramatically. There are more than 30 clinics that have been upgraded in the OR Tambo region. We have introduce[d] the integrated schools programme.

“We have outreach programmes at schools in terms of HPV [human papillomavirus].

“There are over 400 ward-based teams. We have also introduced specialists focusing on maternal, neonatal and child healthcare,” he said.

The OR Tambo district is one of the pilot districts for the NHI project, which is aimed at providing essential healthcare to all citizens whatever their socio-economic status.

The government has spent billions of rands on implementing it.

When the project was launched in Mthatha six years ago, government officials hailed it, saying it was the solution to upgrading healthcare in the province.

In addition to the 20 doctors, the department will also be appointing sessional doctors.

As part of their recruitment drive, the department has advertised the following posts:

● Twelve nursing assistants;

● Nine staff nurses;

● Seventy three professional nurses; and

● Fifteen medical officers. Provincial health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said: “Any doctor who may be staying at home and looking for a job is encouraged to apply and join the department.” —