SA Medical Association Trade Union criticises Health Department over unemployed junior doctors.

VAAL TRIANGLE - The South African Medical Association Trade Union is demanding the Department of Health appoint a dedicated task team to focus on the immediate employment of medical doctors. There are currently 645 unemployed junior doctors who are still waiting to be placed after completing their community service in December. Minister Joe Phaahla has attributed this high number of unemployed medical graduates to the increasing pressure on healthcare budgets. SAMATU says it is concerned by the clear absence of strategic solutions offered by the department to get these graduates into the healthcare system.