COPE raises alarm over potential 'brain drain' in Northern Cape as doctors face moonlighting restrictions

COPE has warned of a potential 'brain drain' after a ban was introduced on April 8, preventing state medical doctors and specialists in the Northern Cape from working in private practice in their spare time.

COPE's acting national chairperson, Pakes Dikgetsi, believed this decision was “draconian” and amounted to a “blatant attack” on medical practitioners' professionalism, autonomy, and dignity.

"Scarce specialist doctors are thinly stretched in the province, with a population of 1.3 million and only two specialist psychiatrists in the public sector. Rather than addressing this crisis by fostering a professional and collaborative relationship with these highly skilled specialists, the Department of Health has imposed a blanket ban on their right to earn a living outside of state service in their personal time. This is not only an insult to their expertise but a direct threat to the retention of critical skills in a province.” 

He called for an immediate reversal of the ban and recommended that mismanagement, corruption and political interference should instead be effectively dealt with. 

“The department must respect their professionalism, recognise their rights and work to build a constructive relationship that prioritises patients' needs over bureaucratic control. Doctors are not state property – they are highly trained professionals whose skills should be nurtured, not stifled.” 

Media liaison officer of the Department of Health, Mandisa Mereeothle, explained that the remuneration for work outside the public service (RWOPS) was not an automatic right, or an exclusive benefit to clinicians. 

“It is a privilege only granted to public servants, based entirely at the employer’s discretion and prevailing service delivery needs within the public health system. The employee applies and the employer reserves the right to approve or disapprove the request based on the scope of  work of the employee." 

She added that all public servants were contractually obligated to fulfill their duties as stipulated in  their employment agreements. 

“They are expected to dedicate their full attention to public service patients during the hours for which they are remunerated by the state, including any overtime work.

"The Department wishes to clarify that the current measures regarding RWOPS is part of a  broader initiative to strengthen the health care system and ensure optimal healthcare services to the people of the Northern Cape,“ Mereeothle indicated.