‘No jobs for doctors without internships as required by law’

Minister of Health, Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, has reaffirmed that the government cannot employ doctors who have not completed their mandatory internships at public hospitals.

He made this statement during an urgent parliamentary debate on the crisis of unemployed doctors and frontline medical professionals.

The debate was initiated by ActionSA MP Dr. Tebogo Letlape, as qualified doctors across several provinces protested for employment. 

Motsoaledi explained that an internship is a legal requirement before a doctor can practice in public healthcare institutions. 

“When you finish medicine, you must complete an internship. During my time, it was one year, but it was later extended to two years to ensure more practical exposure. Without it, you cannot work. It is a statutory requirement. You may have the certificate, but without completing the internship, you cannot practice anywhere,” he said. 

Motsoaledi also addressed concerns about unemployed medical interns, emphasizing that the law mandates the completion of this phase before full employment can be considered.