The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) is the provincial government department responsible for providing and managing public healthcare services for the Gauteng province in South Africa. It works to prevent illness, promote healthy lifestyles, and ensure access to quality and efficient healthcare.

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) offers an excellent opportunity for aspiring pharmacists to complete their mandatory internship year within the public health sector. The programme is conducted in accordance with the South African Pharmacy Council (SAPC) training requirements and provides comprehensive exposure to hospital and district pharmacy services.

Successful applicants will undertake a 12-month internship at designated health facilities, starting 1 January 2026 (or as determined by SAPC).

Pharmaceutical Services in Gauteng

Pharmaceutical services in Gauteng cover Central, Tertiary, Regional, District, and Specialised Hospitals. Interns will work within various pharmacy divisions, ensuring optimal patient care and medicine management.

Intern Responsibilities Include:

• In-patient pharmacy: Dispensing medicines, ward stock management, and patient care advice.
• Out-patient pharmacy: Issuing prescriptions and counselling patients.
• Bulk compounding and repacking: Preparing stock mixtures and disinfectants.
• Stock management: Maintaining efficient medicine supply systems.
• Patient care areas: Collaborating with doctors and nurses on safe medicine use.

Envisaged Posts for 2026

The Gauteng Department of Health has outlined 63 pharmacy internship positions across hospitals in the province, including:

• Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital (8 posts)
• Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (8 posts)
• Steve Biko Academic Hospital (6 posts)
• Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (6 posts)
• Helen Joseph Hospital (3 posts)
• Jubilee Hospital (3 posts)
• Tembisa Hospital (3 posts)
• Sebokeng Hospital (3 posts)
• And several others across Gauteng (full list available on the online portal).

Eligibility and Application Requirements

Applicants must:

• Be South African citizens with valid ID documents.
• Be eligible for SAPC pharmacy internship registration in 2026.
• Have completed or be in the final year of an accredited Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) degree.

Required Application Documents:

• A detailed CV with academic and practical experience.
• Certified copies of ID, matric certificate, and academic transcripts (within 3 months).
• Testimonial letter from a university lecturer.
• Motivation letter explaining your interest in public sector pharmacy.
• List of hospital preferences (top 3 ranked by facility type).