Health sector gets major boost with creation of 1,650 new jobs

Health sector gets major boost with creation of 1,650 new jobs! In a significant development aimed at strengthening South Africa’s healthcare system and tackling unemployment, Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has announced the creation of 1,650 new jobs within the public health sector. The announcement was made during a media briefing held in Centurion on Thursday, marking a major step forward in addressing the growing demands of the country’s healthcare infrastructure.

This news comes on the heels of widespread public outcry and several demonstrations held across the country in 2024, where healthcare workers and concerned citizens called for urgent action to improve staffing levels in hospitals and clinics. The pressure from civil society appears to have yielded results, with government responding positively to the mounting demands for job creation in the industry.

A Response to National Demand

Addressing the media, Motsoaledi confirmed that the Department of Health, in collaboration with other government structures, has officially been given the green light to begin recruitment for a wide range of healthcare positions.

Health sector

“The council has approved advertisements of 1,200 jobs for doctors, 200 for nurses, and 250 for other healthcare professionals. The human resources unit will soon commence with recruitment processes,” said the minister.

He added that the recruitment initiative is part of the department’s broader strategy to strengthen the public healthcare workforce, reduce unemployment among skilled medical professionals, and ensure improved access to health services across urban and rural areas.

Aligned With Budget Provisions

The job creation announcement aligns with the new national budget presented by the Minister of Finance in March 2025. In that presentation, significant allocations were made to support healthcare services, including the hiring of frontline medical personnel and the upgrading of healthcare infrastructure.

Dr. Motsoaledi emphasized that funding had already been secured for the new posts, which would be rolled out over the next few months. The jobs will not only help alleviate the staffing pressures faced by public health facilities but will also provide meaningful employment opportunities for qualified but unemployed health workers.

“This is more than just a recruitment drive. It’s about restoring the dignity of healthcare workers, reducing patient load per provider, and ultimately improving the quality of care that South Africans receive,” Motsoaledi stated.

Breakdown of Job Opportunities

The 1,650 job openings will be spread across several categories:

• 1,200 posts for doctors, including general practitioners and specialists.

• 200 positions for registered nurses, who are often the backbone of healthcare delivery in clinics and hospitals.

• 250 roles for other healthcare professionals, including radiographers, pharmacists, physiotherapists, lab technicians, and mental health practitioners.

The Department of Health will begin rolling out advertisements for these positions across its official platforms, including provincial health departments and relevant professional boards.

Reactions from the Healthcare Community

The announcement was widely welcomed by healthcare professionals and unions, many of whom have long criticized the department for failing to absorb newly qualified graduates, especially from rural and underfunded medical training institutions.

The South African Medical Association (SAMA) applauded the move, saying it signaled the government’s commitment to prioritizing health services and workforce development.

“We have thousands of qualified doctors sitting at home or working in unrelated jobs due to lack of placement opportunities. This decision will change lives—not only of the doctors, but also of the communities they will serve,” said a SAMA spokesperson.

Looking Ahead

While the announcement is a step in the right direction, experts say that more sustained investment will be needed to fully resolve the healthcare system’s long-standing issues. These include infrastructure shortages, delays in salary payments, and the need for improved working conditions.

Nonetheless, Thursday’s announcement represents a positive and proactive step in rebuilding a robust, responsive, and well-resourced public healthcare system—one that places both health workers and patients at the center.