No one suitable for Gauteng’s top health job

11 August 2021

Despite the critical need for a permanent head of the Gauteng Health Department, not a single suitable person was found out of 49 applicants who replied to the job advertisement in April this year.

This was disclosed yesterday by Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi in an oral reply to my questions at a sitting of the Gauteng Legislature.

According to Mokgethi, the position was advertised on 21 March with a closing date of 6 April. No interviews were conducted as none of the 49 applicants had the requisite qualifications and experience.

Meanwhile, Dr Sibongile Zungu has been seconded by the National Health Department to serve as acting Gauteng Health Head for 12 months from 1 July.

The position has been advertised again and a competency test will be part of the process in selecting the best applicant.

I am disappointed by the delay in appointing a new head for this department but it will be worthwhile if the right person is chosen to ensure a quality health service in Gauteng.

I hope that competence is indeed the sole criterion not cadre deployment which has been so disastrous in ruining the management of hospitals and clinics in Gauteng.

There are still too many acting positions in the department which need to be filled speedily with honest people who will spend funds efficiently and effectively to alleviate the suffering of sick people.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 11 August 2021