Thank you very much, hon Minister. There is an opportunity for a last follow-up question but there is no indication that there is such a question. Therefore, I take the opportunity to thank the Minister for having responded to the questions. We will get to the next question.
Estimated number of nurses required to ensure public hospitals and clinics fill existing nursing vacancies, and plans to recruit, train and retain more nurses
43. Ms N D Ntwanambi (ANC) asked the Minister of Health:
(1) Whether his department has been informed of the estimated number of nurses required to ensure that public hospitals and clinics fill existing nursing vacancies to be able to provide adequate health services; if not, what is the position in this regard; if so, what is the total number of nurses required in each province;
(2) whether his department has any plans in place to (a) recruit, (b) train and (c) retain more nurses; if not, why not; if so, what are the relevant details? CO227E