Podcast: 'My struggle and plight as an unemployed doctor'

Dr Thabani Dlamini's journey from medical school to unemployment sheds light on a growing issue in the field. Despite his passion for medicine, he finds himself without work, adding strain to an already burdened healthcare system

After years of gruelling medical school, sleepless nights on call, and preparing for the desire to save lives, here he was, his stethoscope gathering dust and his future uncertain.

This episode is not just about Dr Thabani Dlamini’s story but also about a growing issue in the medical field, as some medical doctors in South Africa still find themselves unemployed.

“I became a doctor because I had this desire and dream of becoming a doctor and possibly treating the community because we do not have doctors where I am generally from in Nkandla KwaZulu-Natal.”

Adds to the strain on healthcare

“What led to my current unemployment status, I would say, was a lack of planning from government officials, because they knew how many doctors they had, including doctors who went to Cuba to study medicine and doctors in various universities in South Africa. So I’d say they didn’t plan ahead so that they’d be able to absorb us.”

Dlamini says this situation not only impacts his future but also highlights the potential strain on the country’s healthcare system.

Moreover, he adds that this hurdle, however, hasn’t affected his passion for medicine because he still has the desire to help communities and rural areas.

“Due to being unemployed, we face financial challenges because we are used to getting a salary every month, so now you can’t even pay for your debit orders. Some of us are breadwinners, so it’s just a challenge, and that impacts us mentally, and it might even lead to depression.”

Furthermore, Dlamini advises aspiring doctors to have other means of generating income. “I strongly advise aspiring doctors to have multiple streams of income.”