Unrest could affect healthcare delivery

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Danette Breitenbach

Unrest could affect healthcare delivery

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has issued a statement saying that the current unrest at universities could severely impact on healthcare service delivery as well as damage the accreditation status of medical schools in the country

“Currently, South Africa has limited resources in terms of health professionals practising in the country. The continuation of such unstable academic environment will affect the registration of final-year students due to complete their studies and have to register with the council for the purpose of practising their professions in the Republic of South Africa at the end of 2016,” the statement says.

In addition, the body warns medical schools that their accreditation as training facilities may be jeopardised by the on-going protests.

“The HPCSA has a mandate to uphold, by ensuring that institutions providing education and training are accredited to safeguard the health standards of the country.”

“The present unstable environment at higher education institutions may have an impact on the quality of future healthcare practitioners and on the accreditation status of training institutions, as the accreditation is based on a number of criteria including academic exposure, assessments, infrastructure, safety and equipment of such institutions.”

“The council appeals to all stakeholders to act with utmost restraint and resolve their issues within the confines and resources available as soon as possible, to allow students to finish their studies still in 2016, so that health services to communities are not sacrificed due to non- qualification .”