Motsoaledi announces 1 650 new healthcare jobs and R1.3bn to be spent on hospital equipment

South Africa’s health department has approved the creation of 1 650 new healthcare positions and allocated more than R1.3 billion for hospital equipment purchases, Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi announced during a media briefing in Centurion on Thursday.

“We believe we’re in a position to announce today that the council has approved the advertisement of 1 200 jobs for doctors, 200 for nurses and 250 for other healthcare professionals,” said Motsoaledi.

The new positions will cost approximately R1.78 billion, with recruitment processes set to begin once logistics are finalised.

Investment in hospital equipment

The minister detailed plans to purchase 1.4 million hospital items to address critical shortages in public healthcare facilities.

This significant procurement includes 25 000 specialised hospital beds at a cost of R725 million.

“One of the most embarrassing experiences the public sector had to endure is the shortage of simple things that will make the stay of patients a worthwhile experience,” Motsoaledi noted.

He highlighted that hospitality services, rather than clinical care, often represent the biggest difference between public and private healthcare.

The equipment purchase will also include 80 000 mattresses (R38.7 million), 76 525 bassinets for newborns (R309.5 million), and 1.25 million linen items, including bed sheets and pillows (R273 million).

The total investment amounts to R1.346 billion.

Motsoaledi referenced past incidents that motivated these purchases, including the “sense of shame” when babies were placed in cardboard boxes at Mahikeng Hospital in the North West.

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ARV funding concerns after Pepfar cuts

The health minister addressed concerns about antiretroviral (ARV) medication supplies following US President Donald Trump’s cuts to Pepfar and USAid funding.

Despite meeting with international donors — who shared their lack of capacity to replace the American funding — Motsoaledi promised continued treatment for HIV patients.

“The Global Fund has given us permission to order R1 billion worth of ARVs,” he stated, describing this as the first significant help received despite numerous promises.

When questioned about what happens when this funding is depleted, Motsoaledi emphasised that the country maintains a buffer stock of ARVs and reiterated that “no person needing ARVs would lack” medication.

He acknowledged the painful reality of job losses but noted that neither the Treasury nor other donors have resources to employ additional staff or absorb those losing positions.

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Unemployed doctors

Despite reports of approximately 1 800 unemployed doctors in South Africa, the minister clarified that the actual unemployment figure is even higher.

“Unemployment is much higher than what we have mentioned, we are hiring people according to our capacity and affordability. If we had the money to employ every South African, we would,” Motsoaledi said.

He emphasised that healthcare professional shortages are a global challenge. “I don’t know of any country in the world that has enough doctors, except Cuba. Some are better than others.”

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Legal challenges to NHI

Motsoaledi also addressed multiple legal challenges to the National Health Insurance (NHI) legislation.

The department has submitted answering affidavits in response to cases brought by Solidarity and the Board of Healthcare Funders (BHF), with rulings expected in six months.

Additional legal challenges have been filed by the South African Private Practitioners Forum (SAPPF), the Hospital Association of South Africa (HASA), and most recently, the South African Medical Association (SAMA).

“We expected the cases and will take it as it comes according to the court of law,” Motsoaledi stated.

He further maintained that healthcare improvements represent an ongoing process rather than a quick fix.

“The correction is not going to happen in one year, it’s the first step. A single budget can’t solve problems in one go,” Motsoaledi stated.

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