The Department of Health and Social Development in Limpopo has experienced an annual steady growth in the numbers of medical and dental personnel between 2007/08 to 2009/10 financial years.
The number of medical and dental doctors in the province was one thousand and ten (1 010) in 2007/08. The number increased to one thousand and forty-four (1 044) in 2008/09, representing a growth of 3,36 percent.
In 2009/10, the number increased to one thousand one hundred and two (1 102), representing a growth of 5,5 percent.
The department has currently developed a recruitment and retention strategy which is designed to respond to the shortages of doctors in the province.
The following are some of the recruitment strategies to beef-up the number of doctors and other health professionals in the province:
* Direct recruitment from institutions of higher learning
* International recruitment through government-to-government agreements in targeted countries
* United Nations Volunteers and Development Programme, which acts as agency for recruitment of volunteer health professionals to accelerate transfer of skills and development to local practitioners in the province
* Retaining retired doctors and health professionals on contract basis which are renewed on a year to year
* Facilitation of the return of South African health professionals serving in foreign countries through the engagement of South African embassies in the host countries
* Improving the working environment in all our health facilities.
For more information please contact:
Selby Makgotho
Cell: 082 907 5082
Issued by: Department of Health and Social Development, Limpopo Provincial Government
25 March 2010
