Doctors in KwaZulu-Natal are demanding postings for approximately 200 unemployed doctors, as hospitals continue to operate with staffing shortages. They are calling for the decentralisation of the recruitment process to allow hospitals to hire doctors directly. Some doctors have been unemployed since 2024. The KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health previously committed to creating 300 doctor posts, but only 110 were advertised, according to capeflats.co.za. The department’s 2024/2025 annual report states a 10% vacancy rate across all postings in the 2025 financial year, as reported by allafrica.com. The KZN Unemployed Doctors Committee says the issue has persisted for years, with the Department of Health citing budget constraints for not employing doctors who completed community service. Doctors are also demanding priority consideration for unemployed doctors when filling open positions, equal job opportunities for bursary and non-bursary holders, and a sustainable plan to address future unemployment, according to allafrica.com. About 50 unemployed doctors protested outside the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health offices in Pietermaritzburg on Wednesday, as reported by allafrica.com. Hundreds of unemployed doctors also protested outside the KwaZulu-Natal Premier’s office on 17 June 2026, according to capeflats.co.za. Dr. Simphiwe Sibiya stated: 'We demand answers, but more importantly, we demand action,' as reported by capeflats.co.za. Hospitals are not hiring doctors even though they are short-staffed.