Authority control databases
The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) is the custodian of the quality of medical care in South Africa. It is unique in the world in that its 29 constituent Colleges represent all the disciplines of medicine and dentistry.[1][2] The only present route to specialisation in South Africa, is via a Fellowship conferred by the college. See Medical education in South Africa; Dental degree § South Africa.
CMSA was founded and financed in 1954 by members of the medical profession,[1] and was registered as a non-profit making company in 1955.[1] It has facilities in Cape Town and Johannesburg, including lecture venues and committee and reception rooms, and an office in Durban.[1] In 2018, the college elected its first Black female president Dr Flavia Senkubuge.[3][4]
The specialist qualifications obtained through The CMSA are known as Fellowships, a designation similar to that used in various countries. These are recognised by the Health Professions Council of South Africa as acceptable for specialist registration and are known throughout the world.[1]
For those medical and dental practitioners who do not wish to specialise, the CMSA offers Higher Diploma and Diploma qualifications which are registered by the HPCSA as additional qualifications. There is also an additional qualification for those who obtain a Certificate in one of the subspecialities.[1]
