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South Africa: Med Students Must Invest Their Skills in Country
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BuaNews (Tshwane)
11 March 2008
Posted to the web 11 March 2008
Gabi Khumalo
Johannesburg
South African medical students have been urged to invest their skills in the country and not take them abroad after completing their studies.
At a three-day Health Human Resources Indaba held in Johannesburg on Tuesday, Gauteng Health MEC Brian Hlongwa said he was concerned about the current trend of medical students finishing their studies and leaving for the United Kingdom or Canada to make more money.
The indaba was held is to address the skills shortages in the sector.
MEC Hlongwa said often the students regarded community service and internships as a nuisance which was "forced upon them" rather than as an opportunity to give back into the community.
"We [hope they will] make a contribution to the South African society that is commensurate to the money, the time and the effort that we invested in them," he said.
The MEC said the cost to train a medical student ranged from R280 000 to R350 000.
Training commences in the second year based on good results, calculated on inflation costs at R55 000 per annum for five years, he said, pointing out that through the Department of Education, medical training is subsidised.
He said as a result he would think government would have a greater say in what becomes of these investments.
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"A fully trained medical practitioner is a walking, talking, breathing investment of the South African taxpayer through the state, surely we have a right to expect a return on this investment," he said.
MEC Hlongwa also called for government and the medical academic community, as well as the professional organisations, to take a fresh, unbiased look at the content of the country's curriculum.
He said they needed to determine whether it was producing the type of medical professionals that served the needs of South Africa and its people.
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