Issued by: National Department of Health
30 June 2008
A three-year clinical associate programme has been established by the Department of Health to produce a cadre of health professionals who will work mainly in community health centres and district hospitals
The Minister of Health Dr Manto Tshabalala-Msimang made this announcement at the 2008 Donor Consultation Forum, which was attended by heads of international donor countries and their implementing agencies in Johannesburg today.
The programme is currently being offered at Walter Sisulu University and Universities of Pretoria, and will commence at the Universities of the Witwatersrand and Limpopo next year.
The Minister said that the programme was made possible by several donors who responded positively to her call for assistance to help establish the clinical associates programme.
Upon qualification, the clinical associates will be registered with the Health Professions Council of South Africa with a defined scope of practice. They will be able assess patients, make a diagnosis, treat and prescribe appropriate therapy and undertake minor surgical procedures under the supervision of medical officers.
"It is assistance of this nature that is critical to strengthening ability to meet the goals of development and improving the overall quality of life of our people. We need assistance that is aimed at supporting national priorities and closing the resource gaps in an effort to improve the health and well-being of our people," said the Minister.
On the other hand, South Africa has also reserved 5% of training spaces for individuals from SADC countries, to train as medical doctors. Many SADC member states have little in the way of tertiary and quaternary health services, said the Minister.
For more information contact Charity Bhengu 083 679 7424