Table 1.
Public sector and non-public sector distribution of selected health professionals (2010)
|
Sector |
Public sector |
Non-public sector* |
Public/non-public ratio | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Professional category | Total registered | Number | % | Number | % | |
| Medical practitioners |
36 912 |
11 309 |
30.6 |
25 603 |
69.4 |
1:2.2 |
| Dentists |
5320 |
770 |
14.5 |
4550 |
85.5 |
1:5.9 |
| Pharmacists |
12 218 |
2966 |
24.3 |
9252 |
75.7 |
1:3.1 |
| Physiotherapists |
5777 |
1009 |
17.5 |
4768 |
82.5 |
1:4.7 |
| Occupational therapists |
3508 |
838 |
23.9 |
2670 |
76.1 |
1:3.1 |
| Psychologists |
7037 |
498 |
7.1 |
6539 |
92.9 |
1:6.6 |
| Registered nurses | 115 244 | 51 966 | 45.1 | 63 278 | 54.9 | 1:1.2 |
*The category, non-public sector, should not simply be equated to private-sector health professionals. While it does indeed include private health professionals deployed in the private (for-profit) health sector, it also includes many health professionals who are retired, not actively practising or working overseas, and also health professionals deployed in the non-governmental organisation (NGO), faith-based organisation (FBO) and other private-not-for-profit sectors.