/ MEDIA STATEMENT / The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

The explanatory summary of the DA’s Health Professions Amendment Bill has been gazetted, and the DA invites comment on our Bill which seeks to address the annual non-placement of intern and community service medical practitioners.

Every year, without exception, interns and community service doctors and other medical practitioners struggle with getting placements, despite the Department of Health’s promises of an effective system. One of the major problems is the perpetual lack of funding to provide posts for all applicants. The DA’s Bill seeks to address this perennial problem by allowing for placements at private health facilities at the cost of that facility, rather than the Department.

This year has already seen its share of controversy with the revelation that there is a shortfall of 202 community service posts for medical graduates in the upcoming 2025 Annual Cycle and allegations that the Internship and Community Service Programme (ICSP) are disadvantaging students from certain institutions.

The DA’s Bill will not only ensure that all applicants get placement but will relieve the strain in the Department of Health’s budget woes.

We request that written comments on our Bill be emailed to the Speaker of the National Assembly within 30 days at speaker@parliament.gov.za and copied to legislation@da.org.za.

Issued by Michele Clarke MP - DA Spokesperson on Health