Cost-cutting at the expense of care and training: The predictable consequences of attempts at austerity by the Gauteng Department of Health

Authors

  • F Senkubuge University of Pretoria
  • P Soma-Pillay University of Pretoria
  • D Basu University of Pretoria
  • S Madhi University of the Witwatersrand
  • F Motara University of the Witwatersrand
  • P Lekgwara Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
  • P Motloba Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
  • W Vangu University of the Witwatersrand
  • M Nodikida South African Medical Association
  • S Madini South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU)
  • M Sathekge University of Pretoria
  • M Ncube South African Medical Association (Health Policy)
  • L Chauke University of the Witwatersrand
  • R Botha Junior Doctors Association of South Africa
  • T Ledibane Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
  • A Coovadia University of the Witwatersrand
  • N Dhlodhlo Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
  • S Holland University of the Witwatersrand
  • C Sihlangu South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU)
  • Z Bayat University of the Witwatersrand
  • R Chauke Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University
  • W Oosthuizen South African Medical Association (Legal)
  • L Mbodi South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.7196/SAMJ.2025.v115i4.3467

Keywords:

funding

Abstract

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References

1. European Commission. Working time directive. European Commission, 2003. https://employment- social-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies-and-activities/rights-work/labour-law/working-conditions/ working-time-directive_en (accessed 6 April 2025).

2. British Medical Association. Doctors and the European working time directive (EWTD). BMA, 2024.

https://www.bma.org.uk/pay-and-contracts/working-hours/european-working-time-directive-ewtd/

doctors-and-the-european-working-time-directive (accessed 6 April 2025).

3. Bhekisisa Team. Budget 2025: Jobs for only 800 of 1 800 unemployed doctors. Bhekisisa, 2025. https://

bhekisisa.org/health-news-south-africa/2025-03-12-update-budget-2025-jobs-for-only-800-of-1-

800-unemployed-doctors/ (accessed 6 April 2025).

4. Sobuwa Y. Salaries are down at 2015 levels, and doctors may simply up and leave, says SAMA. News 24,

14 February 2024. https://www.news24.com/news24/southafrica/news/salaries-are-down-at-2015-

levels-and-doctors-may-simply-up-and-leave-says-sama-20240214 (accessed 7 April 2025).

5. Health Professions Council of South Africa. HPCSA Telehealth Guidelines. HPCSA, 2022. https://

www.hpcsa-blogs.co.za/hpcsa-telehealth-guidelines/ (accessed 6 April 2025).

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Published

2025-05-02

Issue

SAMJ Vol. 115 no. 4

Section

Editorials

License

Copyright (c) 2025 F Senkubuge, P Soma-Pillay, D Basu, S Madhi, F Motara, P Lekgwara, P Motloba, W Vangu, M Nodikida, S Madini, M Sathekge, M Ncube, L Chauke, R Botha, T Ledibane, A Coovadia, N Dhlodhlo, S Holland, C Sihlangu, Z Bayat, R Chauke, W Oosthuizen, L Mbodi

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How to Cite

1.
Senkubuge F, Soma-Pillay P, Basu D, Madhi S, Motara F, Lekgwara P, et al. Cost-cutting at the expense of care and training: The predictable consequences of attempts at austerity by the Gauteng Department of Health. S Afr Med J [Internet]. 2025 May 2 [cited 2025 May 13];115(4):e3467. Available from: https://samajournals.co.za/index.php/samj/article/view/3467

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