Migration is a major challenge for the South African health system (Rawat, 2012). Due to poor working conditions (mentioned above), practitioners leave the public sector seeking employment opportunities in the private sector. In addition, health care workers are also migrating abroad due to a lack of employment opportunities and unfavourable working conditions in the public sector (DOH, 2011). Medical practitioners (8 921), nurses (6 844) and other health practitioners (7 642) are absorbed by countries like Australia, Canada, New Zealand, United Kingdom, and the United States sector (DOH, 2011).

References:

DOH. (2011). HUMAN RESOURCES FOR HEALTH SOUTH AFRICA (HRH) Department of Health. Available from: http://www.hst.org.za/publications/NonHST Publications/hrh_strategy-2.pdf

Rawat, A. (2012). Gaps and shortages in South Africa’s health workforce. Backgrounder, 31(June), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.13140/RG.2.1.4424.0805