If South Africa lacks doctors, why are some of them unemployed?
“We're willing to serve, the only thing is the government seems to be withholding that from us,' says unemployed doctor Siyaneliswa Shozi.
Doctor / Pexels: Karolina Grabowska
Bongani Bingwa interviews Dr Siyaneliswa Shozi, an unemployed medical doctor, and Dr. Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson of the South African Medical Association.
Listen below.
For a gruelling nine years, Dr Siyaneliswa Shozi sacrificed sleep, endured countless nights of anxiety, and shed tears in the relentless pursuit of a medical degree.
His sole aspiration was to secure an esteemed career as a doctor.
This dream fueled him during his studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.
Upon graduating in 2020, and fulfilling his community service and internship obligations, Shozi's hopes were shattered as he found himself unable to secure stable and consistent employment.
Despite exhausting every conceivable avenue in his quest for a job, he now languishes in a state of desperation, reliant on his family for support.
Sadly, he is just one of many doctors in South Africa facing this dire circumstance.
Mzukwa says they are actively engaging with the government, and have started compiling a list of unemployed qualified medical professionals.
He asks that the Treasury bails out the Department of Health, much like it has assisted other state-owned entities.
Additionally, he calls on the government to revamp its employment system, citing numerous inefficiencies.
"We're willing to serve, the only thing is the government seems to be withholding that from us."
- Dr Siyaneliswa Shozi, unemployed medical doctor
"We've never ever thought that there'd be a time where medical practitioners or medical professionals would not be employed."
- Dr Mvuyisi Mzukwa, Chairperson – South African Medical Association
Scroll up to listen to the full interview.