Issued by: National Department of Health
6 June 2006
The Minister of Health Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang presented a budget today at Parliament highlighting the strides that have been made by Department of Health in improving human resources for health and building infrastructure.
Top in the list of the challenges is the migration of health workers from rural to urban areas, from public to private health sector and from South Africa to developed countries, then the inadequate remuneration of health workers and poor working conditions.
In line with the importance that the Department of Health has attached to the matter of human resources for health, she said that the Department is addressing the push and pull factors with regard to the migration of health workers, as well as the issue of remuneration and poor working conditions.
"We made a major breakthrough with the signing of an agreement with the UK through which health workers can work in UK hospitals and return to the public sector without loss of employment or status.
"Since this agreement was signed 2003, the number of South Africans registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Council in UK has decreased by more than 55% from 2114 in 2002 to 933 in 2005. We are exploring similar agreements with other countries which host a significant number of South African trained professionals such Canada," said Minister Tshabalala-Msimang.
With respect to addressing the workload at health facilities, the Minister announced that a new cadre of health professionals called Clinical Associates would be introduced from January 2007.
The first 100 students will be trained Universities of Pretoria, Walter Sisulu and Witwatersrand. They will complete a three-year degree programme with a significant on-site training in district learning centres. Upon graduation, they will work under the supervision of medical officers in district hospitals and primary health care level. The scope of practice will include diagnosis and treatment including performing minor surgery.
The Minister also addressed the topical issue of remuneration of public health professionals. "We accept that over the past few years, the remuneration of health workers has lagged behind other public sector workers. We are working closely with the Department of Public Service and Administration and National Treasury on developing a revised remuneration structure for health workers. This should be ready for implementation in the next financial year," she said.
On the issue of improving health infrastructure, the Department initiated the revitalisation of hospitals programme three years ago. "Currently, we have 42 projects enrolled into the programme and we hope to complete another 4 hospitals in the 2006/07 financial year. These are: George Hospital in the Western Cape which will be officially opened on June 30; Jane Furse Hospital and Lebowakgomo Hospitals in Limpopo; and Mary Therese Hospital in the Eastern Cape," the Minister, said.
In addition, every hospital has been requested to develop a hospital improvement plan that ranges from basic activities such as repairing of broken windows or leaking taps to clinical audits to improve the quality of care that we provide in all public hospitals.
Enquiries: Sibani Mngadi 082 772 0161 or Charity Bhengu 083 679 7424