The Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi extends his heartfelt congratulations to the newly graduated clinical associates after the completion of a three year bachelor's degree training at Walter Sisulu University in Umthatha in the Eastern Cape.
The Clinical Associate Programme of South Africa was launched in 2004. Training started four years later with a first intake of 23 cadres at Walter Sisulu University in January 2008. The 23 students were today awarded the Bachelor of Clinical Medical Practice (B.CMP).
Expressing his confidence in the graduates, the Minister said: "They will be competent professional members of the public health care sector. They have the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to function effectively in the district health system, primarily working with and under the supervision of qualified medical practitioners, to assist with emergency care, procedures and inpatient care."
The registration of the qualified clinical associate will rest with the Medical and Dental Board of the Health Professions Council of South Africa.
The programme started as part of a recommendation of the Department of Health Strategy on Health Human Resources, that the mid-level medical worker programme be developed by various health professional groups to facilitate the implementation of the primary health care (PHC) package within our country.
It also sought to address the shortage of doctors particularly in rural areas.
The clinical associate's scope of practice is defined by the context and requirements of district hospitals with particular focus on emergency care, skilled clinical procedures and in-patient care. Medical services to be provided by the clinical associate may include, but are not limited to obtaining patient histories and performing physical examinations; ordering and/or performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures; interpreting findings and formulating a diagnosis for common and emergency conditions; developing and implementing a treatment plan; monitoring the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions; assisting at surgery; offering counseling and education to meet patient needs and making appropriate referrals.
The programme at the Universities of Witwatersrand, Limpopo and Pretoria commenced in January 2009, with 79 students.
Source: Department of Health
