Give preference to local doctors

THE front page lead (Tribune, April 30) headed “KZN doctors’ fury” refers. It does not tell a good story. It simply does not make practical sense that local doctors waiting for register (specialist intern) posts are sidelined.

There is a great shortage at all state hospitals of specialist doctors, even ordinary doctors. And while there are vacancies, the health departments in all provinces are not filling the posts.

Preference should be given to local doctors. Can the reason for the posts not being filled be that the 200 Libyans, who are being trained at various hospitals, will be employed as cheap labour?

The KZN health spokesperson, Sam Mkhwanazi, said: “The department will be advertising register posts in June for the January 2018 intake.”

However, the fact remains that, although the department advertises every year, only a few doctors are placed.

The department cannot meet the growing demand for ordinary and specialist doctors at state hospitals. This leads to patients suffering because of too few doctors.

The situation at state hospitals is deteriorating by the day and the Department of Health is not showing much concern.

Nevertheless, there are a number of local doctors who need to be considered for positions and the Health Department must stop bringing in Libyans and other foreigners instead.

First consideration must be given to local doctors, and only if there is still a shortage should foreign doctors be brought in.

The Health Department’s motto should clearly be “support local”. ISMAIL MOOLLA Umzinto