Supernumerary(SNR) Training
Supernumerary (SNR) training in the Department of Surgery, University of the Witwatersrand.
Thank you for your enquiry regarding Specialist General Surgery training. The Department is
committed to training specialist General Surgeons from underserved countries, especially low
income countries. Doctors from these countries are required to arrange their own funding for
this training as no formal employment opportunities exist in South Africa.
Should you be interested in pursuing this opportunity, the application process, including
meeting the regulatory requirements, is a long process and can take up to 9 months to
complete. The University will assist you with this process.
Admission requirements:
The applicant must have completed a recognized medical degree and be registered as a doctor.
The completed application process must be followed and includes:
- ECFMG registration of your medical training
- SNR Application form to be completed and submitted to the Faculty of Health Science Post Graduate OTice. (download form : /media/wits-university/facultiesand- schools/health-sciences/student-documents/postgraduate/SNR%20Application%20 %20Formal%20Degree%20studies.pdf)
- Registration with the HPCSA in the appropriate category
- Valid work permit and Visa’s for the duration of the training.
- Pass the FCS part 1a (Primary examination)
- Certificate of attendance at a Basic Surgical Skills (BSS) course
- Certificate of attendance at a ATLS course
Training Program:
You will be incorporated into the full registrar training. The training platform includes 3
Academic central hospitals, 3 Regional Hospitals, one District hospital and one central hospital
in a neighbouring province. You will be expected to rotate through the 3 Academic Hospitals
and at least two to three regional hospital during your training. Previous surgical experience is
beneficial.
The training program duration is 5 years, however you may be asked to complete a 6-9 month
evaluation period working as a Medical oTicer, which would then lengthen your training period
to at least 5.5 years. This may also facilitate you passing the FCS1a. At the end of the 6-9
months training you will again be evaluated and a determination made regarding your suitability
to join the full registrar training program.
The final decision regarding your acceptance onto the program will therefore only be made at
this stage of the process and will include a formal interview. The program is divided into a junior
rotation and a senior rotation. The junior rotation is for 2 years and
comprises of 6 X 4 month rotations. It is aimed at preparing you for the FCS part 1b
examination. It includes rotations through ICU, Trauma, Paediatric surgery and General surgery
which includes at least two rotations in a Regional/District Hospital.
The senior rotation is of 3 years duration and comprises 9 X 4 month rotations in the sub
disciplines of General Surgery ; Trauma, Colorectal. HPB, Endocrine, Breast, Vascular and
Paediatric Surgery. Requirements for admission to the senior rotation requires completion of
the Junior rotation. You must have passed the FCS part 1b examination and completed a
research methodologies course and have a submitted research protocol towards the MMed
degree. An interview is held to evaluate your suitability to enter the senior rotation. There may
be limited slots open on the senior rotation and as such admission to the senior rotation is not
automatic. Supernumerary registrars are assisted in this regard to ensure funding is not
compromised. The clinical responsibilities will be exactly the same as all registrars and as such
the annual leave privileges are the same.
You are allocated 4 weeks of annual leave a year which can only be taken as a maximum of 2
weeks in a block. As such if longer leave is required this should be arranged so that you
take 2x 2 weeks in consecutive blocks. This request should be submitted to the HOD at least 6
months in advance.
You will be expected to sit for the final fellowship exam FCS part 2 during the last part of the
final year. Once you have succeeded in the final exam and have passed the research
component you will be awarded an MMed(Surg) by the university.
You are accepting this training as part of the university’s outreach program to improve care in
underprivileged regions outside South Africa. By joining this program, you undertake to
continue serving in your community outside this country. You will, therefore, not be seeking to
join the HPCSA or serve in South Africa.
The Department reserves the right to decide on your application without prejudice.
Useful contacts:
Prof MS Moeng: HOD
Maeyane.moeng@wits.ac.za
Tel: +27 -11 -717-2010/2570
Ms D Subroyen: Senior Administrator
Dyanadree.subroyen@wits.ac.za
Tel: +27-11-717-2080
Ms K Dow, Departmental Secretary
Karen.dow@wits.ac.za
Tel: +27 -11 -717-2010/2570
Faculty of Health Science Postgraduate office
Ms Naomi Senamela – Administrative Assistant – Supernumerary Registrars
Naomi.senamela@wits.ac.za
Tel: +27-11-717-2098
Professor MS Moeng,
Academic Head, Department of Surgery,
University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
Head of Trauma
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital