With over 1,500 medical positions unfilled, South Africa faces a healthcare crisis as the Health Department admits it cannot track the number of unemployed doctors, highlighting systemic challenges in workforce planning.
South Africa had 1 518 vacant medical posts at the end of March, but the National Department of Health says it does not know how many doctors who completed community service remain unemployed.
The disclosure comes as medical organisations continue to raise concerns about qualified doctors struggling to secure employment and staffing pressures in the public healthcare system.
The Department of Health said 1 891 medical doctors completed community service by the end of 2025 and were eligible for employment, but it does not keep a register or record of unemployed health professionals.
“The department and the Minister have reported on numerous occasions, including responses to parliamentary questions, that there is no register or record of unemployed health care professionals (HCPs) kept by the department,” national Department of Health spokesperson Foster Mohale said.
