Issued by: Ministry of Health
24 November 1997
I am delighted that the triad of Health Bills were approved by the NCOP last Thursday. The passage of these Bills will inter alia create the legal framework whereby we can ensure that medical professionals are deployed in areas of greatest need.
We are particularly encouraged by our young doctors' desire to serve communities who are in desperate need of their services. We have therefore decided that community service be voluntary in January 1998 but compulsory in July 1998.
We will have a series of consultations with all stakeholders regarding issues of its implementation. We are also sensitive to concerns expressed by some young doctors regarding uncertainty around the implementation date. We hope to address those questions in the process of consultation.
Much as we had wanted to make the announcement earlier, we however could not do so until the completion of the legislative processes.
We would like to appeal to young doctors to volunteer for community service at the designated public facilities in January 1998.
Issued by Dr N C Zuma, Minister of Health Contact Vincent Hlongwane Media Officer