According to the latest assessment by the Robert Koch Institute, approximately 12.5 thousand people died from heat in Germany between April 6 and August 2, 2026. This figure is the highest since the start of tracking this statistics in 2016.
According to the latest assessment by the Robert Koch Institute, approximately 12.5 thousand people died from heat in Germany between April 6 and August 2, 2026. This figure is the highest since the start of tracking this statistics in 2016.
According to Anadolu Agency, the last period in June proved to be the most critical. Experts suggest that during the week of June 22 to June 28, the heat alone could have caused about 9.6 thousand deaths, which accounts for almost 77% of the total number of victims over the entire analyzed period. During these days, air temperatures in many parts of Germany reached close to 40 degrees Celsius.
Elderly citizens showed the greatest vulnerability to heat exposure. Among the deceased were about 6.3 thousand people over 85 years old, more than 3.1 thousand in the age group of 75 to 84 years, and another about 1.9 thousand aged 65 to 74 years. Approximately 1.2 thousand deaths related to heat were recorded among individuals younger than 65.
It is important to note that the figure of 12.5 thousand is a preliminary and conservative estimate. Heat is rarely listed as a direct cause of death in documents because it often causes an acute exacerbation of conditions in people with heart and lung diseases. Therefore, experts calculate additional mortality by comparing the actual number of deaths during hot periods with the usual level.
Furthermore, it was previously reported that prolonged drought and heat caused water shortages in several European countries. In Germany, restrictions on water resource use were introduced in 109 municipalities, while Moldovan authorities began preparing for potential water supply problems due to the declining level of the Dniester River.
South Africa is facing a healthcare crisis because over 1500 medical positions remain vacant. The Department of Health acknowledged that it cannot track the exact number of unemployed doctors, indicating systemic issues in workforce planning.
As of the end of March, there were 1518 open medical posts in South Africa. However, the National Department of Health stated that it does not have information on the number of doctors who completed community service and remain unemployed.
This statement comes amid growing concern from medical organizations regarding qualified doctors struggling to find employment, while the public healthcare system faces staffing challenges.
The Department of Health reported that by the end of 2025, 1891 doctors had completed community service and were eligible for employment, but the department lacks a registry or record of unemployed medical workers. A representative of the National Department of Health, Foster Mohale, noted that the department and the minister have repeatedly stated in responses to parliamentary questions the absence of such a registry.
The highest number of vacant medical positions was recorded in the Limpopo province (360), followed by Gauteng (280), KwaZulu-Natal (246), and North West (209). Other provinces, such as Western Cape (147), Free State (95), Eastern Cape (88), Mpumalanga (51), and North Cape (42), also have unfilled positions.
The department clarified that funded positions are announced and included in provincial annual recruitment plans, and provinces continue to post advertisements and hire doctors based on available funded vacancies. Mohale emphasized that provincial health departments continue to recruit medical officers according to available funded vacancies.
A review of service conditions policy is planned, which should increase efficiency and potentially create opportunities to fund additional vacancies through savings. Nevertheless, the department's PERSAL system recorded 1655 appointments to Grade 1 Medical Officer positions (both permanent and temporary) by the end of May 2026. Of these, 664 people completed community service in 2025, meaning more than a third of the appointments were for doctors from the 2025 cohort.
One 27-year-old doctor from the Eastern Cape, who completed community service in 2025 and wished to remain anonymous, reported that after completing service, they applied for approximately 30–50 positions but received neither interviews nor feedback. This doctor moved to Johannesburg in search of better opportunities, relying on temporary work in emergency departments and local clinics when such opportunities arise.
The department stated that it has not received official complaints regarding denial of placement opportunities, especially concerning bias, nepotism, or interference. It was also noted that doctors who complete their service register as independent practitioners with their professional councils, allowing them to work through various platforms, including overseas employment.
This data emerged following warnings from medical organizations that doctor unemployment and staff shortages in the public healthcare system are interconnected problems. Nlankhla Mtize, secretary of the Gauteng province in the South African Health and Public Sector Workers Union (HOSPERSA), stated that this issue cannot be viewed solely as an employment matter. He emphasized that it is more a problem of the healthcare system and patient safety.
HOSPERSA warns that constant pressure on doctors can lead to fatigue and burnout, and fatigue, in turn, can affect concentration, clinical judgment, and decision-making, potentially increasing the risk of medical errors.
The South African Medical Association (SAMA) reported in January 2025 that over 1800 young doctors suffered from unemployment after completing community service. SAMA CEO, Dr. Mzulungile Theo Ndikida, noted that the situation indicates a broader workforce planning issue. He stated that unemployment and doctor shortages are two sides of the same workforce planning coin.
SAMA and HOSPERSA pointed out that filling vacancies depends on funding, qualifications, registration requirements, specialization, and the needs of individual institutions. The department, for its part, continues to advocate for increased healthcare funding, particularly investments in medical personnel. Mohale added that the department continues to push for targeted increases in healthcare allocations, specifically investments in the medical workforce. Furthermore, the department prioritizes critical positions, reviews workforce planning models, and strengthens placement coordination within community service.
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