Budget Cuts Leave 1,800 Doctors Jobless in South Africa

South Africa’s healthcare sector faces a severe crisis, with 1,800 junior doctors who have completed their community service now unemployed. The South African Medical Association (SAMA) has linked the issue to a lack of funds, as the health department confirmed it has no budget to employ them.

Dr. Mvuyisi Mzukwa, SAMA chairperson, revealed the country has a doctor-to-population ratio of 0.3 per 1,000 people—far below the World Health Organization’s recommended 2.5 per 1,000. At Groote Schuur Hospital in Cape Town, the number of available intern posts dropped drastically from 120 in 2022 to just 34 in 2025.

Public Interest SA described the situation as a “national disgrace” and a sign of inefficiencies in a public healthcare system nearing collapse. Last year, health department officials warned Parliament that budget cuts had severely impacted hiring, both nationally and provincially.

The National Treasury allocated R267.3 billion for health in 2023/24, increasing to R295.2 billion by 2026. However, the 3.4% annual increase falls short of the 4.7% inflation rate forecast for the same period, exacerbating the problem.

Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi defended the government, stating that austerity measures have made hiring difficult across sectors. “We are unable to employ more staff without adequate resources,” he said, adding that unemployment among graduates is not unique to the medical field.

Mzukwa criticized the government for failing to plan effectively, accusing it of neglecting its healthcare workforce and wasting taxpayer funds on expensive overseas training programs while local graduates remain unemployed. He warned that many doctors are likely to emigrate to countries such as Canada, New Zealand, and the UK, further depleting the country’s already strained healthcare system.

The government’s push for National Health Insurance (NHI) has drawn additional scrutiny, with critics questioning its feasibility amid ongoing budget constraints and resource shortages. Health officials maintain that the NHI seeks to address systemic inequities, including the uneven distribution of healthcare funding, but concerns persist about its readiness to address immediate challenges.