Department of Health planning discussions with Russia around the recruitment of health professionals for work in South Africa

Issued by: Department of Health

04 October 2005

The Minister of Health has expressed interest in intensify cooperation between Russia and South Africa in the health sector.

The Department of Health plans to meet with the Russians to further discussions around the recruitment of Russian health professionals for work in South Africa.

We will also look at the possibilities and challenges for this international exchange of expertise to happen.

This is still in the planning stages. Once we have opened up channels, we will then be in the position to say exactly how we want the Russians to help us.

In all the international agreements we have entered into with other countries, we have often looked for the following:

• Exchanging, disseminating and sharing information in the field of health and medicine
• Exchange of health experts and professionals for purposes of sharing new techniques and technologies
• Visits to South Africa by officials, specialists or experts of Russia and vice-versa,
• Participation of experts in congresses and scientific conference organised by both countries
• Improvement of respective health care system, human resource development and mobilisation

To facilitate such a process, the two countries involved would be expected to set up a working group consisting of officials from the respective Department of Health and other organisations taking part in the co-operation.

To prepare, a team is appointed to visit academic institutions to explore their curriculum, and meetings with health professions regulating authority of the countries concerned are also conducted to explore the process of regulation and the scope of practice for that particular country's health professionals.

Visits to hospitals and clinics are also conducted to observe doctors/health professionals at work. The team also assesses the health profile of that particular country in relation to the impact of the policies and strategies implemented in their health care system.

Contact: Charity Bhengu, Media Liaison Officer, (012) 313 0420 or 083 679 7424