NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 2155
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 06 NOVEMBER 2009
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 27)
Ms E More (DA) to ask the Minister of Health:
(1) What are the current restrictions on foreign-skilled health
professionals entering and practicing in South Africa;
(2) whether, in light of the chronic shortage of health professionals, he
intends relaxing the regulations on foreign-skilled health
professionals; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details?
NW2847E
REPLY:
(1) Foreign-skilled health professionals may enter and practice in South
Africa, subject to them meeting the requirements of the relevant
health professional council and immigration legislation (if they are
not South African citizens). Non-South African citizens are not
allowed to obtain independent (private) practice until they obtain
permanent residence. However, recruitment can be done where there is
government-to-government agreement to allow for the recruitment of
health professionals.
(2) In view of the answer provided in question (1) above, there is
currently no reason to relax any of the regulations and policies for
the registration or employment of foreign-skilled professionals.
END.