Byron J. Gomes
Current Organizations / Institutes
The organizations/institutes from the scholar's latest article
Research Subjects
Byron J. Gomes has a total of 5 co-authors. Here are the top co-authors by number of shared publications:
- Arnold L. Christianson
Division of Human Genetics, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg 2000, South Africa
1 shared publication - Claude Bailly
Medical Genetics, Division of Molecular Biology and Human Genetics, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Stellenbosch University Tygerberg Hospital, Cape Town 7505, South Africa
1 shared publication - Helen Louise Malherbe
North-West University
1 shared publication - Marianne C. M. Gomes
School of Clinical Medicine, Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban 4000, South Africa
1 shared publication - Neil H. McKerrow
Department of Paediatrics and Child health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town 7935, South Africa
1 shared publication
Latest Publications
- Open Access
A Capacity Audit of Medical Geneticists and Genetic Counsellors in South Africa, 2024: A National Crisis
Community genetic services were introduced in South Africa almost seven decades ago, with medical geneticists and genetic counsellors being formally recognized for the past 30 years. Initial training platforms were established at academic centres countrywide, and posts for relevant healthcare professionals, including medical geneticists and genetic counsellors were created in the public sector. Despite these early advances, the number of these specialists required to address the rising burden of congenital disorders in the country remains far below required targets established by the National Department of Health. The aim of this study was to analyse the retrospective, current and projected number of medical geneticists and genetic counsellors in South Africa. The results indicate the number of practicing medical geneticists (n = 13) and genetic counsellors (n = 28) are currently at 10% and 5% of capacity targets, respectively. There is unequal distribution of these specialists between the public and private healthcare sectors, and geographical maldistribution. An alarming trend of emigration is particularly prevalent among newly qualified genetic counsellors. With the proportion of congenital disorders expected to continue to rise in coming years, together with the increasing proportion of ageing South Africans, it is imperative that health workforce planning addresses the ever-widening gap between the supply, demand and unmet need for these crucial specialists in South Africa.
Open AccessA Capacity Audit of Medical Geneticists and Genetic Counsellors in South Africa, 2024: A National Crisis
Community genetic services were introduced in South Africa almost seven decades ago, with medical geneticists and genetic counsellors being formally recognized for the past 30 years. Initial training platforms were established at academic centres countrywide, and posts for relevant healthcare professionals, including medical geneticists and genetic counsellors were created in the public sector. Despite these early advances, the number of these specialists required to address the rising burden of congenital disorders in the country remains far below required targets established by the National Department of Health. The aim of this study was to analyse the retrospective, current and projected number of medical geneticists and genetic counsellors in South Africa. The results indicate the number of practicing medical geneticists (n = 13) and genetic counsellors (n = 28) are currently at 10% and 5% of capacity targets, respectively. There is unequal distribution of these specialists between the public and private healthcare sectors, and geographical maldistribution. An alarming trend of emigration is particularly prevalent among newly qualified genetic counsellors. With the proportion of congenital disorders expected to continue to rise in coming years, together with the increasing proportion of ageing South Africans, it is imperative that health workforce planning addresses the ever-widening gap between the supply, demand and unmet need for these crucial specialists in South Africa.