There is no doubt that doctors and other health care professionals are underpaid, Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi said in Pretoria on Monday.

"It is not up for debate, their remuneration does not satisfy us as well," Motsoaledi told the media at his first press conference since he was sworn in as minister last week.

"The issue under debate is when and how this problem will be solved."

He said as a medical doctor himself he wanted to assure his colleagues it was a problem he had personally experienced.

In fact the problem dated further back than 1994, he said.

"The problem with remuneration is like a septic wound, no-one can suture it immediately," he said, adding it would be a lengthy process.