Poorly paid and under-recognised Clinical Associates, introduced 15 years ago to help address the shortage of healthcare workers (especially in rural areas), have finally convinced the national Health Department to review their functions and status.
This comes after a probe, promised by Deputy Health Minister Dr Sibongiseni Dlomo at the annual rural health conference in East London in 2023 failed to materialise. Two years earlier, the Professional Association of Clinical Associates (PACASA) complained to the Public Protector whose report, issued in November 2021, supported their concerns, and directed the Department of Health to take remedial action.
PACASA explicitly highlighted the lack of job evaluation and compared their pay unfavourably to that of professional nurses and allied health personnel. They urged the government to establish structured levels, e.g, First Level, Senior, and Principal Clinical Associate, to reflect their scope and responsibilities. …..more
