The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has issued a stark warning about a growing crisis: 1,800 doctors nationwide are unemployed after completing their community service. This alarming figure highlights a deepening problem within the South African healthcare system, leaving communities vulnerable and healthcare professionals disillusioned.
SAMA spokesperson Zimkhita Mafanya highlighted the severity of the situation, stating: "SAMA finds it unacceptable that our country cannot provide employment opportunities for these dedicated and highly skilled professionals, and more so for services that are critically needed by our communities. The consequences of this situation are far-reaching and have significant implications for the delivery of healthcare services."
The crisis is particularly acute in the Eastern Cape, where the department of health issued a circular (departmental circular 31/2024) stating its inability to employ doctors who have completed their community service. This revelation, coupled with existing doctor shortages in the province, paints a grim picture of the healthcare landscape.
Mafanya further explained the ripple effects of this unemployment, stating: "The unemployment of junior doctors also exacerbates the existing shortage of medical personnel, leading to overworked and burnt-out healthcare professionals. This, in turn, compromises the quality of care provided to patients and puts a strain on the already overburdened healthcare system." The impact extends beyond the individual doctors, affecting the quality of care and the overall wellbeing of the healthcare system.
To better understand the extent of the problem, SAMA has launched a nationwide survey to collect data on hospital vacancy allocation and filling. Mafanya urged participation from healthcare professionals and hospitals, stating: "She urged all healthcare professionals and hospitals to participate in this survey and provide accurate information on the allocation and filling of vacancies." The survey aims to provide a comprehensive picture of the situation and inform future strategies.
The decline in intern posts at Groote Schuur Hospital serves as a stark illustration of the crisis. The number of intern positions has plummeted from 120 in 2022 to a mere 34 in 2025, reflecting a drastic reduction in opportunities for junior doctors. This trend underscores the systemic issues contributing to the unemployment crisis.
SAMA has called upon the government to take immediate action, including providing jobs for junior doctors, increasing healthcare funding, and developing a sustainable plan to address the ongoing shortages. Mafanya issued a strong warning: "We cannot afford to continue neglecting the healthcare needs of our citizens, and if the unemployment of junior doctors is not resolved in earnest, SAMA will consider taking legal action. It is time for the government to take decisive action to address this crisis and ensure that our healthcare system can provide the quality care that our people deserve."
The gravity of the situation is further emphasised by last year's protests, where SAMA, along with other trade unions including Cosatu, the Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA, and the Young Nurses Indaba Trade Union, delivered a memorandum of demands to the then health minister, Dr Joe Phaahla, highlighting the urgent need to address the unemployment of doctors. The ongoing crisis demands immediate and decisive action from the government to prevent further deterioration of the healthcare system.
