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Brain drain: health system on life support
By Mziwakhe Hlangani, The Star, October 22 2002
2002-10-24

Health services in some areas are reported to be teetering on the brink of collapse as at least 29 200 vacant posts remain unfilled in public hospitals throughout the country.Most of these posts are for nurses, doctors and radiographers. In January, KwaZulu-Natal had the highest number of unfilled posts (7 190), followed by Eastern Cape (6 216), Limpopo (4 395) and Gauteng (3 936). But Health Ministry spokesperson Sibani Mngadi said the figures did not reflect the real situation in most hospitals because posts could have been filled in the past few months. Figures released by the Department of Health revealed that, of the 6 216 Eastern Cape posts, only 491 positions were budget for. Only 681 positions of the total 1 725 vacancies in North West were budgeted for and 183 of the 517 vacant posts in the Northern Cape had funds allocated to them. The majority of the unfilled positions would not be filled for almost a year, until the provinces were allocated more funds in the next budget. Northern Cape, Western Cape and Mpumalanga recorded the lowest staff shortages, ranging between 517 and 1 200 vacancies. Eastern Cape head of health service, Dr Siphiwe Stamper rejected claims that health services in traditionally black hospitals in the former Transkei and Ciskei homelands were on the verge of collapse. We have just effected a massive recruitment campaign in the province after receiving R121-million funding from the National Treasury to redress that situation. Our service cannot go down when we have successfully effected our operational plans and rebuilt some of those hospitals, which suffered as a result of neglect during apartheid, he angrily retorted. Stamper said 600 assistant nurses had been upgraded to professional nursing levels to reduce the 2 800 positions for professional nurses which had not been filled. The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) said understaffing continued to undermine delivery of health services in most provinces. We understand that the number of vacancies is well beyond 50 000 and challenge the department to show how many health workers have been employed in the past five years, said Molantoa Molaba, Nehawu's national spokesperson. Democratic Alliance MPL Jack Bloom said 5 707 skilled medical staff resigned from Gauteng hospitals in 2000 and 2001.(Source:Mziwakhe Hlangani,The Star, October 22 2002)

Health services in some areas are reported to be teetering on the brink of collapse as at least 29 200 vacant posts remain unfilled in public hospitals throughout the country.

Most of these posts are for nurses, doctors and radiographers.

The country has suffered a severe brain drain because many professionals have left the country for better pay in developed countries.

'Our service cannot go down' 
In January, KwaZulu-Natal had the highest number of unfilled posts (7 190), followed by Eastern Cape (6 216), Limpopo (4 395) and Gauteng (3 936).

But Health Ministry spokesperson Sibani Mngadi said the figures did not reflect the real situation in most hospitals because posts could have been filled in the past few months.

Figures released by the Department of Health revealed that, of the 6 216 Eastern Cape posts, only 491 positions were budget for. Only 681 positions of the total 1 725 vacancies in North West were budgeted for.

And 183 of the 517 vacant posts in the Northern Cape had funds allocated to them.

The majority of the unfilled positions would not be filled for almost a year, until the provinces were allocated more funds in the next budget.

Northern Cape, Western Cape and Mpumalanga recorded the lowest staff shortages, ranging between 517 and 1 200 vacancies. 

Eastern Cape head of health service, Dr Siphiwe Stamper rejected claims that health services in traditionally black hospitals in the former Transkei and Ciskei homelands were on the verge of collapse.

We have just effected a massive recruitment campaign in the province after receiving R121-million funding from the National Treasury to redress that situation. Our service cannot go down when we have successfully effected our operational plans and rebuilt some of those hospitals, which suffered as a result of neglect during apartheid, he angrily retorted.

Stamper said 600 assistant nurses had been upgraded to professional nursing levels to reduce the 2 800 positions for professional nurses which had not been filled.

The National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) said understaffing continued to undermine delivery of health services in most provinces. We understand that the number of vacancies is well beyond 50 000 and challenge the department to show how many health workers have been employed in the past five years, said Molantoa Molaba, Nehawu's national spokesperson.

Democratic Alliance MPL Jack Bloom said 5 707 skilled medical staff resigned from Gauteng hospitals in 2000 and 2001. 

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