Gauteng Department of Health

About the Gauteng Department of Health

The Gauteng Department of Health is the provincial government department that runs public healthcare in Gauteng. Gauteng is the most populous province in South Africa, so demand for public services is very high. The department's head office is at 45 Commissioner Street in Johannesburg. It manages hospitals, community health centres and clinics, as well as many health programmes.

Its network includes four central academic hospitals: Chris Hani Baragwanath, Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg, Dr George Mukhari and Steve Biko. Chris Hani Baragwanath in Soweto is the largest health facility in the country, with close to 2,900 beds. These hospitals also train many doctors, nurses and other health professionals.

How the Gauteng Department of Health supports students

A public health system needs a steady supply of qualified staff. For that reason, the department offers bursaries in scarce health fields. Past calls have covered medicine (MBChB), dentistry, pharmacy, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. They have also covered audiology, radiography, dietetics, optometry, clinical psychology and clinical medical practice. Some calls target Matric learners and others target students who are already registered, and the fields listed for each group differ. Nursing bursaries have been offered through the Gauteng College of Nursing. The department has also sent students to study medicine in Cuba. Funding generally covers tuition, and some awards include a monthly allowance. However, the exact package differs between programmes, so each call must be read carefully.

What to know before applying

Past calls required applicants to be South African citizens who live permanently in Gauteng. They also had to come from a disadvantaged background and have at least a C symbol average in Matric. Documents usually included a certified ID, Matric certificate, proof of registration, academic transcripts, proof of income and proof of residence. In an older call, applications were accepted by hand delivery or registered mail, so check how to submit the current call.

The most important point is the work-back condition. Bursary holders sign a contract with the department. After graduating and finishing community service, they are placed in contract employment to repay the funding through service. For example, students sent to Cuba agree to serve for the same number of years that they studied. Nursing candidates may also have to complete work-integrated learning, which can include night, weekend and public holiday shifts in provincial facilities.

Fields, closing dates and addresses change from year to year, and older adverts online are often out of date. As a result, always confirm that a call is current before you apply. Look for notices from the department itself, and do not pay anyone to help you apply. Genuine government bursaries are free to apply for.