INTERNSHIP AND COMMUNITY SERVICE PROGRAMME (ICSP)

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About Internship and Community Service (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

2024 Annual Cycle Information

  Please note the following:

  • The system is not yet open for applications for the 2024 Annual Cycle. (The ICSP website will be updated in due course with the opening and closing dates for the 2024 Annual Cycle.)
  • Applicants who were placed and assumed duty in the previous cycle cannot apply again.
  • All applicants who want to be placed in the 2024 Annual Cycle would need to apply regardless if you had previously applied on the ICSP system.
  • Only eligible applicants who can assume duty in the 2024 Annual Cycle are required to apply.

2023 Midyear Cycle Application Process

Dear Medical Internship and Community Service applicants.

Please note that the application for the 2023 Midyear cycle have now been closed.

Applicants who still needs assistance for the 2023 Midyear Cycle can contact ICSP via email – icsp@health.gov.za

Contact details

  • Every provincial department have a specific coordinator to assist with Internship and Community Services specifically.
  • Below is a link to view / download the contact details of all 9 provincial departments, South African Military Health Services (SAMHS) and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) coordinators.
  • Applicants can also send an email to icsp@health.gov.za for any enquiries regarding allocations or other matters related to Internship and Community Services.
Provincial Coordinator Contact List