Budget 2025: Why We Cant Afford To Have 1 800 Jobless Doctors
Theresa Brummer is one of the between 1 500 and 1 800 unemployed post-community service doctors waiting to hear if Finance Minister Enoch Godongwanas new budget includes money for extra public sector posts to employ young doctors like her.
The February 19 budget, which was rejected by the government of national unity, made provision for 800 young, out of work doctors. Then USAID pulled its funding for HIV projects, resulting in thousands of health workers, including doctors, losing their jobs.
Heres why South Africa cant afford to have doctors without jobs.
In todays newsletter , Mia Malan explains why todays budget needs to provide for the salaries of South Africas unemployed doctors. Sign up for our newsletter today.
When Theresa Brummer finished up her medical degree at Stellenbosch University, she had a clear vision for her future: to work in the public healthcare system in the Eastern Cape, where she was raised.
Brummer spent a year at Madzikane Ka Zulu Memorial Hospital in Mount Frere doing her government-required community service in a public hospital in addition to two years of medical internship at state health facilities before she was able to practise medicine in South Africa.
But today, instead of healing patients, Brummer sits at home in Gqeberha scanning job listings.
She is just one of between 1 500 and 1 800 unemployed post-community service doctors who are waiting today to hear if Finance Minister Enoch Godongwanas new budget will make provision for extra public sector posts to employ young doctors like her.