Doctor accreditation and qualification for plastic surgery in South Africa

The medical and surgical standards in South Africa are extremely high and surgeons operate in private state-of-the-art clinics where they have access to cutting edge equipment and facilities. It takes approximately 10 years of training in total before becoming a surgeon.  Students study for four years to become a medical doctor then another four years to specialise as a cosmetic surgeon. Following this, most surgeons work for two years in a hospital as an assistant surgeon in their specialised field before being able to open their own private practice.

The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) incorporate medical and dental specialities within a single framework, setting a single standard accepted by all South African Medical Faculties as well as by The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), the official statutory registering body of the Republic of South Africa.

Professional bodies

Many cosmetic surgeons are members of the General Medical Council in the UK. Cosmetic surgeons should be registered with reputable medical associations such as The South African Medical Association (SAMA), the representative body for medical practitioners in South Africa, the Council for Health Service Accreditation of South Africa which assists health care facilities to meet standards for patient safety and quality care and The Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), an autonomous organisation committed to promoting the health in South Africa, determining standards of professional education and training and fair standards of practice.

Additionally, they should be members of The Association of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeons of Southern Africa (APRSSA) which works towards ensuring the highest quality patient care and maintains professional and ethical standards. Surgeons may also be members of the The International Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons.