6 February 2025

SAs Healthcare Crisis: Profmed Launches Platform to Connect Unempoyed Doctors with Opportunities

South Africa is facing a perplexing healthcare crisis characterized by a shortage of medical professionals in certain regions while hundreds of qualified doctors remain unemployed. To tackle this issue, Profmed has introduced a new platform, www.finDR.doctor, aimed at connecting young doctors seeking employment with medical facilities in need of their skills.

According to Profmed CEO Craig Comrie, this initiative is a critical intervention at a time when effective solutions are urgently required. The platform is designed not only to facilitate job opportunities but also to offer an incentive of six months of free Profmed medical aid to the first 100 unemployed graduate doctors under 30 who register on finDR.

Comrie stated that finDR is a reflection of Profmed’s long-standing commitment to supporting the medical profession, a mission they have upheld since the 1960s. He emphasized that the platform addresses the employment gap among doctors while alleviating pressure on the healthcare system, ultimately making quality care more accessible across South Africa.

In January 2025, the South African Medical Association (SAMA) raised concerns about over 1,800 qualified doctors who have completed their community service but are unable to find employment. The South African Medical Association Trade Union (SAMATU) echoed these concerns, noting that unemployed doctors have protested in Mpumalanga and Eastern Cape, demanding job opportunities amid the unemployment crisis.

Dr. Cedric Sihlangu, the general secretary of SAMATU, pointed out that a significant challenge in the healthcare sector is the high number of unemployed doctors who have completed their community service. Despite extensive training and a pressing need for healthcare services in many areas, these professionals remain in a state of uncertainty.

Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi acknowledged the concerns raised by doctors and unions, recognizing the mounting pressure on the Department of Health to hire unemployed doctors. However, he noted that budget constraints limit new appointments and encouraged doctors to consider opportunities in the private sector and abroad.