HOSPITALS STRUGGLE AS GAUTENG HEALTH GETS SECOND ACTING HEALTH HEAD

The DA is alarmed that public hospitals in Gauteng are struggling to cope with the flood of Covid-19 patients, but a second Acting Head of the Gauteng Health Department has now been appointed instead of a permanent replacement for Professor Mkhululi Lukhele who resigned in October last year.

Dr Sibongile Zungu took over from Mr Lesiba Malotana as Acting Head on 1 July, and faces a daunting challenge as the third wave of Covid-19 cases has yet to peak.

Earlier this year Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi said that the Health head position had been advertised with the closing date on 5 April.

We need to know the outcome of the job interviews and why a permanent head has still not been appointed.

Other key positions have also not been filled with permanent staff despite promises that this was being expedited.

Our health service has unfortunately suffered from a lack of leadership at this time of severe crisis.

Dr Zungu needs to fill vacant posts as soon as possible and work in partnership with the private sector to ensure that everything possible is done to save the lives of sick people in Gauteng.

Statement by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC, 3 July 2021