North West Health MEC Sello Lehari announced the appointment of 460 staff members during his department’s budget vote for the 2025/26 financial year, presented on Tuesday (22/7).

According to Lehari, the 460 new appointments were made through collaboration with the Provincial Treasury and the Office of the Premier. The department is also continuing to fill vacant health professional positions in line with the newly allocated 2025/26 budget, ensuring that healthcare services in the province meet the growing demand.

One of the key areas of progress highlighted by Lehari was the employment of unemployed medical doctors. “There is progress on the appointment of unemployed medical doctors, and the update is that all of them have been employed either within the department, the private sector, or other provincial departments during 2024,” said Lehari.

This initiative has seen the department offer sessional contracts to all unemployed doctors, while simultaneously advertising vacant, funded posts and working to fill these positions on a permanent, full-time basis. Lehari noted that the department’s efforts, however, are limited by the number of available vacant funded posts.

He added the department is making significant investments in training and development as part of its long-term strategy to improve healthcare services. Lehari emphasised that training and development are essential to enhancing staff skills, productivity, and retention. 

As part of this commitment, the department has enrolled 100 unemployed youth in Auxiliary Nursing Training and plans to enrol another 100 in 2025/26.

In addition, the department offered 90 internships to unemployed youth during the 2024/25 period, with plans for the same number of placements in the 2025/26 financial year. 

Lehari also highlighted the placement of 35 youth on internships with the Southern Africa Institute for Artisans (SAIFA) in 2024/25 as part of the province’s broader strategy to invest in youth development within the health sector.

Improved patient care

Meanwhile, a total of R39.5 million has been earmarked for the appointment of 20 medical specialists, with R13.5 million dedicated to the recruitment of nursing specialists. Additionally, R71 million has been allocated to hire general nurses. 

These new appointments, according to Lehari, will enhance the capacity of provincial and central hospital services, ultimately improving patient care.

Lehari elaborated on the specific roles that would be filled by these specialists, including positions for plastic surgeons, dermatologists, vascular surgeons, cardiothoracic surgeons, cardiologists, surgical gastroenterologists, and pulmonologists. This strategic focus on hiring specialists aims to improve access to advanced care and reduce the province’s reliance on external referrals for specialised treatment.

OFM News/Kekeletso Mosebtsi mvh