EFF statement on the CEO of Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital Dr Nozuko Mkabayi following the Health Ombudsman’s recommendations to have her removed
15 March 2023
The Economic Freedom Fighters welcomes the recommendation by the Health Ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba to have the CEO of Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, Dr. Nozuko Mkabayi removed after she has been absent on duty for almost 100 days and the hospital being declared unsafe.
This matter emanates from a joint open letter written by over 130 doctors and medical professionals calling for an investigation on the CEO after she instituted disciplinary processes and suspended Dr. Tim De Maayer for speaking against and reporting the poor conditions in the hospital.
Dr. Mkabayi has a decorated history of failure, incompetency and maladministration as a Director of Department of Health in the Eastern Cape. The department of health in the Eastern Cape is notoriously known to be the worst-performing department with the most dilapidated infrastructure and lack of political will to improve even an inch.
A person with such a questionable track record gets appointed as the CEO of one of the most strategic hospitals in the province and even the country. Her appointment is not a mistake, but a calculated move that aligns perfectly to the agenda to loot and collapse public health institutions in Gauteng. We need not to look further than Life Esidimeni tragedy, Tembisa Hospital Corruption Scandal, Sebokeng Hospital Corruption cases, etc.
Dr. Nozuko Mkabayi must be removed with immediate effect. Not only has she been absconding for work, she has also exposed pregnant women and vulnerable children under despicable conditions. Cases of pregnant women sleeping on the floor for days and babies losing their lives during labor have been reported.
Her removal as CEO of Rahima Moosa is not enough, she must also be removed from the National Healthcare Professionals Association and made to account for failures that have occurred which are as a result of negligence and maladministration under her leadership.
Issued by EFF, 16 March 2023
