In 1998, Government introduced the Community Service Policy that required Health Professionals to complete 12 months of Community Service and 24 months of Medical Internship through remunerative work in the public health sector. The purpose of the policy was to achieve better distribution of human resources for health to under-serviced areas and thereby improving equitable access to primary health care services.

The National Department of Health (NDoH) developed the Internship and Community Service Placement (ICSP) online system to assist eligible applicants who are required by law to perform a statutory obligation for medical internship and community service.

The ICSP online System, makes provision for two (2) allocation Cycles (i.e. Annual Cycle and the Mid-year Cycle) for two (2) programs as per the Statutory requirements:

Medical 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.

• 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.

For more information and how to register for Medical Internship or Community Service: