The number of community-service doctors in Gauteng will be reduced from 202 at present to 45 next year, the Democratic Alliance (DA) said on Wednesday.
”This is a 78% cut that is bound to adversely affect health services,” said the party’s health spokesperson for the province, Jack Bloom.
This was according to the provincial minister of health Brian Hlongwa’s response in writing on June 18 to questions submitted by Bloom.
Hospitals with the most community service doctors will be worst affected, particularly Chris Hani Baragwanath, which has 34 such doctors at present, said Bloom.
Other hospitals affected will include: the Johannesburg and Helen Joseph hospitals, presently with 19 community service doctors each; Natalspruit and Sebokeng, with 13 each; Dr George Mukhari Hospital with 11; and Tambo Memorial with nine.
Gauteng health department spokesperson Zanele Mngadi said: ”It is unfortunate that Mr Bloom doubts our plans, but we are confident that they will yield positive results.”
In his reply, Hlongwa said the department had anticipated the reduction and planned for it.
”Services will therefore not be compromised.”
Steps had been taken to ensure that hospitals retained health professionals and filled funded posts, including the current group of community service doctors.
He said the national Health Department was part of deliberations that made the decision regarding community service doctors. — Sapa