Doctors
A third of the student doctors that participated in the study reported gender and racial discrimination. Graphic: Lisa Nelson

Home » Foreign-qualified SA doctors to sit for board exams

Foreign-qualified SA doctors to sit for board exams

As soon as October, foreign-qualified medical doctors, will be able to sit for Board Exams after administrative challenges were sorted out.

20-09-23 09:50
Doctors
A third of the student doctors that participated in the study reported gender and racial discrimination. Graphic: Lisa Nelson

The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) has announced the appointment of a new service provider for foreign-qualified medical doctors to sit for their board exams.

SERVICE PROVIDER FINALLY APPOINTED BY HPCSA

After a lengthy appointment process, yesterday, Monday, 18 September HPCSA announced the termination of the old service provider which made way for the newly approved external service provider.

“The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) regrets the delay in arranging the Board medical examinations. The Medical Board examinations were previously managed by an external service provider on behalf of the Medical and Dental Professional Board. The contract with the previous service provider has since expired,” HPCSA Registrar, Dr Magome Masike said.

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JOBLESS MEDICAL DOCTORS MARCH

This comes after South African foreign-qualified doctors encountered numerous delays due to administrative challenges. 
Earlier this month, a group of jobless doctors who studied overseas, marched to the Union Buildings in Pretoria to raise their grievances about their inability to write their board exams so that they could start practising, SA Gov News reports.

“The appointment of the new service provider was a lengthy process. However, I am pleased to announce that a new contract has been signed with the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) to manage the HPCSA Medical Board Examinations for the next three years,” he said.  

DATE FOR BOARD EXAMS FOR QUALIFYING MEDICAL DOCTORS

The HPCSA announced that the first round of examinations will take place next month.

According to HPCSA, the first round of examinations will be held as follows:

  • Theory exams: 25 October 2023 (to be held at undergraduate Lan, 2nd floor, UKZN Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, Umbilo Road).
  • Practical exams/OSCE: Between 05 and 08 December 2023 (to be held at the Skills Laboratory, George Campbell building, Howard College campus, Rick Turner Road).

“Applicants who meet the requirements will be invited to sit for the set examination soon,” Dr Magome Masike assured.

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