Africa-Press – South-Africa. One of South Africa’s largest restricted medical aid schemes, Profmed, has announced that it will offer free medical aid to South African doctors and dentists under 30.
The scheme noted that this is in response to the unemployment challenge many of these professionals face after completing community service.
Profmed is one of the largest restricted medical schemes in South Africa, and it is exclusively designed for professionals.
Profmed was started by the Professional Provident Society (PPS) in 1959. It became known as Profmed in January 1970.
While PPS is the parent company, Profmed is a separate entity governed by the Medical Schemes Act.
PPS relinquished its control over Profmed in 2002 due to the conflict with the Medical Schemes Act. PPS Healthcare Administrators now administers the scheme.
Initially, Profmed was a scheme designed for the benefit of the PPS members themselves. Over 60 years later, Profmed is now open to all professionals with a tertiary qualification and relevant professional experience.
Among these qualified professionals are doctors and dentists, who Profmed has acknowledged are facing a tough transition from study to practice.
Profmed noted that many healthcare professionals, such as doctors and dentists under 30, are unemployed and without medical aid after completing community service.
“Young healthcare professionals often find themselves at a crossroads after community service,” explained Profmed CEO Craig Comrie.
“We’ve seen far too many talented young doctors complete their mandatory service only to be left without work, income, or even access to private healthcare.”
Comrie said this is unacceptable, adding that Profmed’s initiative of offering free medical aid to these professionals is its way of stepping in where support is needed.
“This is about more than just medical aid,” Comrie said. “It’s about ensuring that young professionals don’t fall through the cracks at the start of their careers.
Who qualifies
Profmed CEO Craig Comrie
To qualify for the free medical aid offer, candidates must be under 30, have completed community service in the past two years, and be either unemployed or employed for less than six months.
They are also required to sign up via finDR, a digital platform developed by Profmed to connect newly qualified medical professionals with healthcare practices and job opportunities across the country.
“Healthcare is a demanding and essential profession, and we need to invest in the next generation now, not once they’re already established.”
Promed explained that finDR was launched to address two growing national challenges: graduate unemployment and staffing shortages in South Africa’s healthcare system.
The platform places young doctors and dentists into locum and permanent roles based on their qualifications, location preferences, and healthcare providers’ needs.
This benefits not only the professionals but also practices struggling to manage overwhelming patient loads.
“The response to finDR has been phenomenal,” added Comrie. “Over 800 young doctors have already signed up, which shows just how dire the need is.”
He noted that this latest campaign builds on our earlier pilot, where they gave the first 500 users six months of free medical aid. “Now, we’re expanding that offer to a full year, because they deserve that level of support,” he said.
Beyond just job placements, finDR also provides access to mentorship opportunities and a growing network of like-minded professionals.
Comrie stressed that Profmed’s commitment is a temporary fix and part of a longer-term effort to empower South Africa’s healthcare workforce.
“This offer is our way of saying you matter. Your career matters. And we’re here to help you take that next step, securely and with dignity,” Comrie said.
Doctors and dentists meeting the criteria are also encouraged to register on the finDR platform to gain access to job opportunities, mentorship, and a supportive community.
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