The SA Medical Association (SAMA) says that doctors are still being paid salaries equivalent to 2015 levels, and earning 13% less than they should, prompting concerns that they might exit the profession and head to greener pastures elsewhere.
The association, which held a three-day conference in Johannesburg last week, said local doctors were highly trained and sought after by other countries, and that the Health Department risked losing them.
SAMA chairperson Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa said SAMA had conducted a survey showing just how underpaid doctors were in this country. “We are talking about the basic salary – not other things like overtime.”
News24 reports that the conference, themed “Towards Strengthening Health Systems”, focused on the healthcare space in SA and issues like unemployment in the profession, the decriminalisation of healthcare, and the NHI Bill.
“South African doctors are sought after by other countries, and it’s important for the state to realise that if they don’t give a chance to these doctors to practise here, they will go,” said Mzukwa. “It will be a sad day if we allow these young minds to leave …and advance in other countries, having used taxpayers’ money.”
He added that if the department wanted to retain these highly skilled professionals, it needed to invest in them – and attend to their work conditions and reimbursement.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
SA doctors still earning 2012 salaries
Gauteng Health fails to pay full January salaries to dozens of doctors
Doctors without jobs as health purse tightens