Friday, 29 March, 2024
HomeSouth AfricaPandemic's 'severe' financial impact on medical profession

Pandemic's 'severe' financial impact on medical profession

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a severe financial impact on South African practitioners with some GPs, cardiothoracic surgeons and neurosurgeons losing up to 80% of the their income and having to close their practices, according to medical indemnity insurer EthiQal.

Alex Brownlee, executive head of EthiQal, said in a statement that the insurer had recorded an almost 50% increase in policy cancellations during the pandemic period compared to the prior year, "albeit still small numbers". These were related to early retirements, delayed starts in private practice and stopping clinical practising due to the impact of the pandemic.

"The income of many doctors has been significantly reduced due to hospitals restricting surgeries to emergencies and births, as well as patients putting off seeking non-critical treatment. The effects thereof have left some private practitioners with little choice but to reluctantly hang up their stethoscopes in retirement and others to close their practice’s doors."

Average reductions in income amongst specialists were evident near 30%, with some severely impacted by up to 80% of income. Some of the worst financially impacted medical disciplines included GPs, cardiothoracic surgeons and neurosurgeons, Brownlee said.

"The psychological effects of financial uncertainty, cash flow problems and constant worry about the possibility of infecting family, friends and patients have taken a toll on the mental well-being of many doctors and nurses, with many still coming to terms with the impact of COVID-19 to this day.

Brownlee said that roughly seven months and over 700,000 positive coronavirus cases after South Africa recorded its first coronavirus case in early March 2020, the pandemic continues to take a toll on South Africa’s health system, healthcare workers, the economy and its people.

"Medical practitioners stepped into wards and theatres to treat patients with the realisation that they could be exposed to infection and would not only be putting their lives at risk, but also those of their families and friends. Back in August, as announced by the Minister of Health, over 6 000 private healthcare workers tested positive for the virus, with a death toll of 37.

"During these times, many doctors were exposed to new conditions and required to work outside of their typical scope of practice. Telemedicine was allowed to be provided to patients beyond what was previously allowed for by the regulator."

This had introduced new challenges and medico-legal risks to doctors during a stressful time, and where practice income was severely impacted, which meant that Ethiqal had to assist by extending cover and providing various financial relief initiatives.

"As much as becoming a doctor is a calling, no medical practitioner would have foreseen the dilemmas arising from an extreme and unprecedented event on the scale of the coronavirus pandemic. We owe it to our doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers for the bravery and dedication they have shown to care for the citizens of our country and help stop the spread of the virus."

 

MedicalBrief — our free weekly e-newsletter

We'd appreciate as much information as possible, however only an email address is required.