Unpaid specialist training is becoming an increasingly visible feature of SA’s public healthcare system as doctors compete for a limited number of funded training posts. Some local doctors are working without salaries for extended periods to gain the clinical experience required to qualify as specialists. – Spotlight (September 2026)
Gauteng’s public health system is losing at least 100 nurses a month and faces a conservative shortage of 16,000 posts.
Compulsory medical scheme membership for formally employed South Africans should be considered, said Thoneshan Naidoo, CEO of the Health Funders Association (HFA). In an interview with Business Tech (9 September 2026).
“With health insurance products booming in the country, medical schemes are no longer the most attractive option, at least based on price, with regulations tying their hands when trying to compete, said Principal Officer for Medshield”, Kevin Aron, in an interview with Business Talk (7 September 2026).