INTERNSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMME (ICSP)

In 1998 a community service policy was implemented that required health professionals to complete 12 months community service / 24 months Internship through remunerative work in the public sector. The purpose of the policy was to achieve better distribution of human resources for health to under-serviced areas and thereby improve equitable access to primary health care services.

In accordance with the National Department of Health’s (NDoH) Annual Performance Plan (APP), all eligible South African graduates from South African Universities must apply to be allocated for internship and community service each year within available resources.

• There are two (2) programme types namely:
  Internship – Medical graduates (Doctors) need to complete a two (2) year internship programme prior to registration as a community service medical practitioner, as provided for in Section 61 of the Health Professions Act 56 of 1974 and associated regulations relating to the registration and training of interns in medicine.
• Community Service – Legislation prescribe that health professional graduates who wish to register for independent practice, need to complete one year of remunerated community service at health establishments as approved by the Minister of Health in the Government Gazette.
  • The following field of study is applicable for Community Service:
    Audiologist, Clinical Psychologist, Dentist, Diagnostic Radiographer, Diagnostic Sonographer, Dietician, Environmental Health Practitioner, Medical Practitioner, Nuclear Medicine, Radiographer, Occupational Therapist, Pharmacist, Physiotherapist, Professional Nurse, Radiotherapy, Speech and Audiology Therapist and Speech Therapist