Health Minister Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has faced criticism for his comments addressing the plight of 500 unemployed doctors in South Africa. Amid protests by jobless medical professionals, Motsoaledi reportedly stated that they would not receive special treatment and suggested they either enter private practice or leave the country.

This comes against the backdrop of a healthcare system plagued by staff shortages, with patients often waiting hours for attention at state hospitals and clinics.

While Motsoaledi cited budget constraints as the reason for the lack of employment opportunities, critics argue that mismanagement and corruption within the ANC have drained resources meant for essential services like healthcare.

“The reality is that taxpayers fund medical training in this country, yet the government fails to utilize these trained professionals,” said an unemployed doctors’ spokesperson, Dr. Philisiwe Ngcai.

Ngcai criticized Motsoaledi’s remarks, highlighting that leaders with access to private healthcare fail to grasp the severity of the public health crisis. He also noted the irony of such statements as the government pushes for National Health Insurance reforms.

Motsoaledi’s comments have been widely perceived as dismissive, with critics accusing the government of failing to prioritize healthcare and the needs of its people.