Health ministry jobs guided by funding and demand - Luvindao

The health ministry is not in a position to automatically employ unemployed medical officers, dentists or other health professionals once they complete their internships or contracts, minister Dr Esperance Luvindao says.

Luvindao told the National Assembly that the pace and capacity to absorb interns into the public health system depend on the financial resources made available to the ministry. In the long term, however, she said recruitment is determined by demand for services relative to the population.

She said the ministry coordinates with tertiary institutions to manage demand for medical services and prevent an oversupply of health professionals in the market.

Luvindao acknowledged the current challenge of a limited number of funded vacant positions in the ministry, saying all available posts are subject to approved staffing structures and budgetary provisions.

She stressed that her ministry remains committed to advocating with relevant stakeholders for increased funding to strengthen service delivery in critical areas of healthcare.

Fair overtime payments

Responding to a question from Independent Patriots for Change (IPC) shadow health minister Lilani Brinkman about overtime payments for dental interns, Luvindao said “practical and legally sound procedures” were being explored to establish a fair and standardised framework for overtime payments.

Consultations with the Office of the Prime Minister and the attorney general are aimed at ensuring that any overtime payments comply with existing laws and public service regulations, as well as fiscal capacity, she said.

A monitoring and reporting system is also being considered to ensure that the management of any overtime claims is recorded accurately and in a timely manner, she said.

Interns’ compensation for work extending beyond the normal 40-hour working week is at an advanced stage, the minister added.

According to Luvindao, the approach is intended to protect the interests of both the ministry and the interns and ensure that all decisions comply with the law, are inclusive and fiscally sustainable, and align with the established employment framework applicable to public service employees and interns.

Scholarships addressed

She also addressed delays in the payment of scholarships to students studying in health-related fields. The ministry awarded scholarships for the 2025 academic year to 53 students in dental therapy, optometry, biomedical engineering, and orthotics and prosthetics. Currently, only 34 are studying full-time, while the remainder have deferred their studies until the next academic year.

According to Luvindao, all 34 active students received their accommodation and transport payments in October last year. The minister attributed delays in scholarship payments to late submission of proof of registration and required documents, including confirmation of banking details. She also referred to the lengthy process of creating a supplier code for each student on the Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS).

Luvindao said the ministry has established a dedicated office and measures to ensure the effective and comprehensive administration of scholarships. These include releasing budget allocations on time and informing scholarship recipients promptly so they can plan accordingly.

Applications for the second round of scholarships are currently open and close on 30 November. The selection process for successful candidates will take place in mid-December.

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