Issued by: Government Communications (GCIS)
Health Minister, Dr Nkosazana Zuma has no plans, secret or otherwise to expel foreign doctors working in hospitals, as reported in The Saturday Star, 10 October 1998.
She also has not given instructions to the Department of Home Affairs or anybody for that matter not to renew their work permits.
Dr Zuma values the contribution made by foreign doctors in the provision of health services country-wide.
There is a critical shortage of doctors in many parts of the country, particularly in rural areas.
For that reason, over the past four years government to government agreement have been signed with Cuba, Germany and the UN Volunteer Corps aimed at recruiting doctors to areas of greatest need. More than 500 foreign doctors have been recruited through these programmes.
Of particular concern to the Department of Health is that the author of the said article, Charlene Smith attributes a statement to the Minister, without having spoken to her on the subject.
She further distorts a discussion she had held with Vincent Hlongwane, Dr Zuma's spokesperson. She had asked him about the registration of foreign doctors and was referred to the Interim Medical and Dental Council. When she called about the alleged plans to expel foreign doctors, Mr Hlongwane promised to investigate which he did.
Mr Hlongwane later called Charlene to say the following "There is not truth in the allegations and our attitude is that foreign doctors are providing a valuable service and we appreciate the contribution they make. There are no plans to bundle them onto the next aircraft."
We therefore consider suggestions by Charlene Smith, that the Minister plans to expel foreign doctors from state hospitals and her deliberate distortion of facts as mischievous and irresponsible journalism.
Contact: Khangelani Hlongwane Phone: 012 312 0826/082 557 0978 Fax: 012 - 325 5526