Health specialists in limbo

Contracts terminated despite shortage. By

opening a practice of his own means his employees now depended on him.

“I have employed a staff of 10. But this was never my initial plan. I could not tolerate being pushed from pillar to post and the uncertainty of not knowing whether I would have a job tomorrow, forced me to create another plan for myself.

“I worry about other doctors who didn’t have a backup plan and relied on KZN Health to create jobs for them.”

Naidoo, the anaesthesiologist, said he was still hopeful the department would make positions available and, while he waited, he was trying to take on private jobs.

“Right until the 11th hour we were given hope that there would be positions available for us so I didn’t even bother considering a plan B, but the department just kicked us out.

“This is absolutely disheartening.

“I know there is a dire need for anaesthetists because I have seen it on the ground and I still find it hard to believe that I find myself unemployed,” said Naidoo.

The KZN Department of Health did not respond to queries specific to specialist posts but said doctors should look out for job adverts and compete for posts when they become available.