Plans for more doctors in KZN rural areas
KwaZulu-Natal's Health MEC says a long-term solution is needed to curb the trend of doctors in rural areas leaving their posts for opportunities in bigger cities.
MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo says the issue has been a challenge for some time.
Dhlomo yesterday visited the Umphumulo Hospital in the iLembe District, where six doctors have left in the past six months.
Career growth and exposure are often given as reasons for making the move.
Dhlomo says this is understandable but leaves communities with fewer doctors.
"We have a long-term plan to reverse that and we've put it in place. Within the next three years, doctors will be coming in big numbers from Cuba and even if there are those among them who would love to rotate and specialise, we could say 'look, we'd like you to go and specialise but give us 12 months before you go'.
"That will then increase a pool of doctors that may continue to remain within the district," he said.
(File photo)