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Doctor Shortage and Health Services


C.J.H Brink

Abstract

There are about 130 Bantu medical graduates to serve a Bantu population of over 15000000 for which there is so far only one 'shared' medical school in Durban. In contrast there are over 10000 White doctors for a White population 3 700 000 served by 4 established and 3 new medical schools. The historical evolution of Bantu education is one reason for this disparity which is discussed as well as the effects of the shortage of Bantu doctors in the Bantu community. The general conservatism of the medical profession and the traditional resistance to changing medical curricula is implied. Opinions on experimentation with, and alterations to, the curriculum appearing in papers at conferences on medical education in western countries are presented. A scheme to remedy the present situation urgently in South Africa by instituting a separate Bantu Medical Council, a separate Medical Register and a separate Medical Examinations Board with· training facilities at certain recognized Bantu hospitals, is proposed.


Journal Identifiers


eISSN: 2078-5135
print ISSN: 0256-9574