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Postgraduate Programmes

Requirements & Registration

The MMed training programme aims to allow registration as an independent practitioner in orthopaedic surgery with the HPCSA. In order to achieve this, all the following requirements are to be met:

  • MBChB or equivalent
  • Current registration with HPCSA as independent practitioner
  • CMSA FC Orth SA Primary Exam Passed
  • 12 Months Experience in Orthopaedics
  • CMSA FC Orth SA Intermediate Exam Passed
  • Medical Officer time in a recognized orthopaedic department
  • Rural/ peripheral experience in orthopaedics in KZN
  • ATLS
  • Basic Surgical Skills
  • AO Basic Course

Successful completion of the primary, intermediate and final CMSA (College of Medicine South Africa) Orthopaedic Surgery examination (see link above).

Successful completion of the MMed Degree at UKZN (Dissertation passed or article published / accepted for publication). 

Successful completion of prescribed training time of five (5) years in a HPCSA accredited training institution.

Proven fitness to practice as an independent orthopaedic surgeon as illustrated by competency in all seven of the CanMEDS domains:

  • Clinical skills, values, and behavior
  • Communication skills, values, and behavior
  • Collaboration skills, values, and behavior
  • Leadership skills, values, and behavior
  • Health advocacy skills, values, and behavior
  • Scholarship skills, values, and behavior
  • Professional skills, values, and behavior

Supernumerary Registrars

Please note the following stipulations in relation to supernumerary registrar positions in the Department of Orthopaedics at the University of KwaZulu-Natal:

Supernumerary registrars participate in the prevailing registrar training programme in exactly the same manner as all other registrar. No special exemptions will be made for supernumerary registrars. Therefore, all registrars (albeit appointed by the KZN Dept of Health or as a supernumerary) are treated in exactly the same manner and no special allowances will be made for supernumerary registrar.

Training occurs at various hospitals throughout the province and registrars are required to rotate through different hospitals at the discretion of the head of department.

Supernumerary registrars are obliged to register for a MMed degree with UKZN during their training 

A candidate is considered to be eligible to apply for selection as registrar in the Department of Orthopaedics, provided that the candidate fulfils all the requirements for eligibility for the degree MMed at the University of KwaZulu-Natal as described in the current College of Health Science Handbook:

  1. Holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery qualification,and
  2. Have completed internship and at least one additional year of clinical practice in the country of origin, and
  3. Satisfies the requirements of the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA) to enter specialist training; and
  4. Satisfies the additional requirements of the specific MMed for which registration is being sought (see below)

Proof to be provided

  1. FC Orth SA primary exams passed
  2. At least 12 months experience in orthopaedics (Reference letter from Head of Department of orthopaedics where this experience was obtained is required. This letter should clearly state the competencies of the candidate attained in terms of the surgical procedures, i.e which surgical procedures can the candidate do independently, and which ones has he assisted with)
  3. ECFMG (Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates) Certification Report
  4. Proof of training at an WHO/WFME institution in which the medical curriculum is conducted in English; or provide a certificate of successfully completion and pass an International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  5. Provide current proof of registration with the medical professions regulatory body of their country of origin

Proof to be provided:

  1. ATLS course completed
  2. Basic Surgical Skills completed
  3. AOTrauma – Basic Principles of Fracture Management course completed
  • Participation in and attendance of the departmental academic teaching and teaching programme and meetings
  • Maintain a portfolio of learning and logbook of surgical cases as prescribed by the CMSA
  • Academic performance (theoretical knowledge and skills)
  • Performing research towards an MMed degree
  • Clinical and Professional Practice competencies

The current duration of training is five(5) years for supernumerary registrars.

  • Responsibility for clinical care of patients at designated clinical sites, including provision of after-hours care
  • Good interpersonal skills
  • Establishing professional therapeutic relationships with patients and families
  • Work effectively with colleagues and other health care professionals
  • Contributes to the improvement of healthcare delivery in teams, organizations and systems
  • Uses health-care resources wisely, conservatively and effectively, and utilise evidence and management systems to achieve appropriate care
  • Perform outreach as determined by clinical supervisor
  • Engages in the continuous improvement and enhancement of their professional activities through ongoing learning
  • Integrates best available evidence into clinical decisions; critically evaluate evaluates research results and the literature and incorporates these insights into clinical practice
  • Supervision and teaching of undergraduates
  • Demonstrates a commitment to patients by applying best practices and adhering to high ethical standards

In order to apply please forward the following supporting documentation:

  1. CV
  2. Reference letter from Orthopaedic Specialist (details provide above)
  3. Proof of FC(Orth) SA Primary Exam completed successfully
  4. ECFMG Certification report
  5. Previous qualifications including High School Certificate
  6. Proof of training at an WHO/WFME institution in which the medical curriculum is conducted in English; or provide a certificate of successfully completion and pass an International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
  7. Provide current proof of registration with the medical professions regulatory body of their country of origin
  8. Any other relevant documentation

For any inquiries please email

Jennifer Naidoo

E-mail: Naidooj30@ukzn.ac.za