Sick state turns back on doctors

It is an astounding example of arrogance and an inability to read the room - especially in a country desperately in need of medical professionals - that Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi should, effectively, insult and turn his back on young, jobless, qualified doctors.

Commenting on protests by these doctors that they cannot find employment, Motsoaledi said they would not be given special treatment and then told them they should either go into private practice or leave the country.

There are currently 500 unemployed doctors in this country - and it goes without saying that, every day, patients wait for hours to be attended, or be ignored completely, at state hospitals and clinics because there are not enough doctors.