The meeting comes days after questions around the number of doctors that have not been paid in each province were raised by one of the committee’s members, Michéle Clarke.

The National Department of Health, in a written reply, stated it would ask all Provincial Departments to source the full details on the matter.

Clarke stated she is hopeful the information will be made available in the committee meeting.

ALSO READ: The Department of Health in the spotlight

Apart from the issue of non-payment to doctors, there is also the issue of medical staff shortages in the public health sector.

The department has yet to confirm when it will be in a position to fill over 21 500 vacant posts for nursing staff. 

ALSO READ: No end in sight for medical staff shortage

The largest trauma hospital in the Free State, Pelonomi Hospital, was recently in the spotlight for its critical shortage of nurses.

There was also a shortage of medical accessories, as well as a backlog in equipment maintenance and a linen shortage.

Earlier this year the provincial department stated it had begun the process of interviewing anaesthetists and orthopaedic specialists, to help with the high volume of trauma; violence; and injury cases which require more theatre space, time, and resources.

OFM News