Medical specialists are medical practitioners who possess strong knowledge of a certain field of medical science. Although they are simply called as doctors their training and education make them an expert in one of the hundreds of specialties and sub-specialties of medicine. This field is not only lucrative but also is in growing demand especially in the continent of South Africa.
A brief on the medical industry in Africa & shortage of medical specialization
Healthcare in the African continent has remained very poor throughout. A lot of foreign assistance too was of little help. Very few African countries are able to spend $34-$40 per person per year which, according to WHO, is the minimum healthcare need of a population.
According to a comprehensive report presented in 2013, only 25 state doctors and 92 private sector doctors were available for 100,000 people in South Africa. WHO reported that the African subcontinent is in need of 1.8 million health workers and this number is predicted to rise to 4.3 million by 2035. Hence the statistics shows that medical specializations in Africa have huge potential in the near future. The traditional medicine has been transformed into a whole new modern and well-structured healthcare system to meet the demanded medical specializations in Africa.
The huge and rising demand for doctors in Africa
According to the World Health Organization, the African continent is suffering from a dearth of good medical specialists due to their restricted infrastructural facilities. Research shows that when one section of the society is keen to bring about the overall development in the medical services, the other sections fail to co-operate due to lack of funding and training programs. There is a huge demand for medical specializations in South Africa to meet the needs of its rate the of population which is growing at a rate of 1.58% a year. Additionally, South Africa has a reduced number of medical provisions and type of equipment. They have insufficient protection against diseases like HIV and tuberculosis infections. Therefore, to take care of every medical issue acting as a parasite to the growth of the generation in Africa, the evolution of medical specialists is of utmost importance.
The highly demanded medical specializations in Africa
Africa realizes its requirements of higher medical education and in demand medical specializations. It acknowledges its lack of quality training programs. As a result, many African countries at present are embracing medical degrees holders and various medical specialists from all over the world. Language too also does not become a barrier because people of most of the African states speak English and hence, they do not find it difficult to accept the same language.
Overseas medical specialists in Africa have been an integral part of the continent, Here there has been a huge transformation of the educational infrastructure with colleges now offering more professional and specialized programs than before. Although the world is turning into a digital platform, automation and technology are only growing to assist the doctors whose demand can never be replaced. The below mentioned medical specialists have the highest potential to achieve success in the near future. In the current scenario, the most highly demanded medical specializations in Africa are:
- General Physician
- Pediatrics
- Oncologist
- Radiologist
- Ophthalmologist
- Sports Medicine doctors
- Dermatologists
- Surgeon
- Gastroenterologist
- Emergency medicine
A brief on each of these specializations
General Physician
A General Physician covers almost every health-related issue and hence is frequently sought after by the patients. They have been very successful in building the trust of their patients with their capabilities which include – physical examination of the patient, diagnosis of the illness and ability to prescribe the right treatment or medication to the patients.
Pediatrics
Dealing with kids can most often be an overwhelming task. That’s why being a practising pediatrician is considered one of the most difficult yet exciting professions in the world. The time is limited because it concerns the health and well-being of an infant or a pregnant woman, where there is almost no margin for error or delay in correctly identifying the medical issue and suggesting the relevant treatment for the same.
Oncologist
Oncologist or cancer specialists provide therapies after proper investigation of this most common human genetic disease. They provide the best treatment by identifying the type cancer, its current stage of the issue and doing their best with the available technology in fixing or eradicating the cancer cell from the patients body.
Dermatologists
Dermatologists are the specialists who deal with the largest organ in the body, the skin. The skin, of all the organs possesses the maximum threat of contracting infections as it is constantly exposed to the elements and the environment.
Radiologist
Radiologists are specialists who with the help of X_ray and advanced 3D scanning techniques to correctly diagnose and identify a particular health issue. With the onset of Artificial Intelligence, there is a common notion among Radiologists that there is a growing threat to their existence. However, this cannot be true as given out current level of science and technology, the human element in any medical practice absolutely cannot be ruled out.
Gastroenterologist
These are the specialist who deal all the issues pertaining to the digestive system. With the help of smart and highly advanced technologies, they are able to see what is going on inside the patient’s belly or gastrointestinal tract.
Emergency medicine
One of the most critical time for patients is when they are being handled by emergency medical technicians. They have crucial roles to play in a very short span of time to improve the patient’s condition and do everything they can to avoid any disastrous or unfortunate situations.
Surgeon
Surgeons are the highest qualified medical practitioners who are trained to perform surgical procedures depending on their particular field of study.
Infectious Disease
Life-threatening diseases like Zika and Ebola virus are controlled and treated by the doctors specializing in this field. Due to globalization, these infectious viruses and the diseases caused by them are capable spreading at an alarming rate if not controlled. This is why doctors who specialize in infectious diseases are in huge demand in many parts of the world.
Career prospects for each specialization with expected annual salary
Medical specialists enjoy one of the most lucrative professions in the world. According to a recent study in 2018, some of the average annual incomes of medical specialists are as follows:
| Specialization | Annual Salary |
| Neurosurgeon | $801,870 |
| Orthopedic Surgeon | $684,301 |
| Radiation Oncologist | $631,916 |
| Dermatologist | $591,500 |
| Cardiologist | $590,200 |
| Plastic Surgeon | $562,900 |
| Radiologist | $557,700 |
| Anesthesiologist | $526,500 |
| Ophthalmologist | $482,300 |
| Emergency Medicine | $436,800 |
| Physical Medicine | $409,500 |
| Neurologist | $393,900 |
| Gastroenterologist | $370,000 |
| Psychiatry | $365,300 |
| Pediatric Emergency | $351,000 |
Why Texila American University provides the best education for medical specialists?
Texila American University is a great learning platform which provides excellent educational opportunities. It offers updated, modern and extraordinary training programs which are immensely beneficial to the individuals who want to grow as a medical specialist. It covers the areas of Health Sciences, Information & Communication Technology, Management, Education, Applied Sciences, etc. Texila American University’s Zambia campus is blended with a wide number of medical courses for one to choose from. These specialized and highly advanced medical courses available at Texila are of utmost importance to a medical practitioner who wishes to move up in the world of medicine and fulfill his career dreams.
Some of its programs include Health Professionals Foundation Program (HPFP), Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB) , Masters of Public Health( MPH), PhD in Public Health, PhD in Clinical Psychology, etc.
The ease and advantages of pursuing a medical specialization with Texila
Texila offers a great learning experience. The basic amenities provided to the candidates are of superior quality. The expert faculties render excellent educational support to the potential medical specialists. Some of the facilities are even provided without a charge for the first six months of the entire course. Most of the medical specialization programs range from 3 to 5years and are highly affordable.
Guide to enroll in our medical specialization programs
At Texila, we aim to produce only the most skilled and compassionate doctors in the world. With its highly qualified experts, modern equipment and smart programs, it becomes a powerful educational institution for the aspiring doctors. So, log on to and be prepared to get the best education and land into the most lucrative professional team.
