South Africa has been facing a severe unemployment crisis that affects millions, particularly the youth, for nearly a decade. And so it comes as no surprise that there is also a crippling shortage of medical professionals with experts in the field saying this is unacceptable. The shortage results in a strained healthcare system. Dr Bulela Vava, Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity in South Africa, says the this issue was once thought to mainly affect unskilled workers. But now both skilled and unskilled workers, including healthcare professionals, are among the casualties. He also adds that the narrative around this crisis has often been one-sided, focusing heavily on the negative effects on medical doctors while neglecting similar challenges faced by 'marginalised' professionals who are essential to maintaining the healthcare system. For more on this Bongiwe Zwane spoke to Dr. Bulela Vava, Atlantic Fellow for Health Equity in South Africa