Pietermaritzburg – A group of unemployed doctors in KwaZulu-Natal took to the streets this morning, marching from the UNISA Pietermaritzburg campus to demand urgent action from the government on the issue of unemployment among healthcare professionals.
The march seeks to draw attention to the state’s failure to employ qualified doctors, a problem that has left over 1,500 medical graduates without work across South Africa.
"We Are Here to Save Our Communities"
Dr. Mxolisi Xulu, one of the conveners of the protest, criticized the Health Ministry for its lack of commitment to providing jobs for locally trained doctors.
“Our Minister (of Health) said that they don’t owe us employment or placement of jobs. Therefore, we are supposed to go to private or else go overseas. But we are saying we are here, we studied here in SA. They supported us as the department…and we are saying we are not leaving and we’re here to save our communities,” said Dr. Xulu.
A Growing Crisis in Healthcare
The unemployment of medical professionals has sparked concerns, particularly as South Africa continues to grapple with an overburdened public healthcare system. Critics have pointed to the government’s inability to create sufficient posts for qualified doctors as a failure to prioritize healthcare delivery in underserved areas.
Doctors Refuse to Leave South Africa
The protesting doctors argue that they are ready and willing to serve their communities but are being left without opportunities. Many have rejected the idea of seeking employment abroad or transitioning to private healthcare, insisting that their skills are needed in the public sector.
Public Reaction and Government Response
The march has drawn support from some community members, who echoed concerns about the lack of medical personnel in hospitals and clinics. However, the Department of Health has yet to provide a formal response to the doctors’ demands.
The group plans to continue their efforts until the government addresses the crisis.
For video coverage of the march and interviews with the protesting doctors, stay tuned to HMR News Updates.
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