NCOP
FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION NO. 675
DATE OF PUBLICATION IN INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER: 02 December 2011
(INTERNAL QUESTION PAPER NO. 40)
Mr D Joseph (DA-WC) to ask the Minister of Health:
Whether the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has
expressed any concerns with regard to the inadequate exposure of
undergraduate medical students to autopsies; if not, what is the position
in this regard; if so, (a) when did the HPCSA express such concern, (b) in
which provinces did the concerns relate to and (c) what steps have been
taken to remedy the situation in each case?
CW843E
REPLY:
According to the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), the
Medical and Dental Professions Board evaluates and accredits all
undergraduate medical education and training in South Africa. According to
reports of the evaluations of undergraduate medical education and training,
there have been no findings which suggest concerns in relation to
inadequate exposure of undergraduate medical students to autopsies. The
HPCSA has not received any complaint from any medical, academic staff or
parents about inadequate exposure of undergraduate medical students to
autopsies.
END.