NHI Could Scare Away More Surgeons

The introduction of the NHI scheme could begin a crisis in SA More surgeons and anesthetists could leave the private sector.

The introduction of a National Health Insurance (NHI) Scheme as envisioned by the ANC government could spell the beginning of an even bigger crisis in South Africa's hospitals, warned experts this week.

The severe shortage of medical professionals is already a huge problem in a country that only has 800 anaesthetists.

Staggering statistics show that since the beginning of 2008, over 100 anaesthetists left South Africa, with 40 leaving in one single month alone.

Even more frightening is the fact that the country only has 450 surgeons throughout the hospitals, despite the growing demand due to rising crime and violent acts.

"The implication is that people could wait up to 10 years for operations," said a senior official at Tyberberg Hospital in Cape Town.

An example is the orthopaedic surgery department at the hospital that has 1600 people currently on the waiting list for operations. Essentially, this means that the list continues up until 2019, without any improvement in site.

Most surgeons who qualify eventually leave South Africa for better salaries and working conditions.

Limited funding and the demand for South African doctors only exacerbate the situation.

"Those in the public sector leave because of appalling salaries. Those in the private sector leave mainly because of crime," said Prof. Mike James, the head of anaesthesiology at Groot Schuur Hospital.

Despite the fact that the government has created a 10 point plan to solve the shortage, an introduction of the National Health Insurance scheme could actually worsen the situation and send more doctors packing, warn the experts.