THE Eastern Cape Department of Health has appointed seasoned administrator and medical doctor, Rolene Wagner, as the new superintendent-general, effective from August 1.
Wagner comes with a wealth of experience. She led Frere Hospital for years as its CEO, before taking up a position as deputy director general: hospitals and clinical support management services.
Her appointment comes after a lengthy recruitment process following the resignation of former head of department, Dr Thobile Mbengashe, last year.
Health MEC, Nomakhosazana Meth, said no better person could have been appointed.
“With her leadership skills and knowledge of the health sector, working with senior management, organised labour, and workers, we are sure she will excel.
“We have all seen what she can do as she turned Frere Hospital around and now, she will have that same energy and innovativeness for the entire province. We wish Dr Wagner well in her new responsibility,” she said.
Wagner’s appointment is part of an ongoing recruitment process to address staff shortages in clinics and hospitals. Over the next couple of weeks and months, the department will be shortlisting, interviewing, and appointing people into critical positions that have been left vacant because of budgetary constraints.
The MEC said medico-legal claims were a challenge that have drained the department’s coffers, resulting in critical vacancies not being filled.
“We cannot have a situation where doctors and nurses have to see and treat too many people or have a shortage of cleaners and porters, because for us to provide a more professional, effective and efficient service, we need everyone to play their part.
“We are continuously working towards addressing medico-legal claims, but we cannot put the filling of vacancies on hold because when you have staff shortages, those who are at work will be overworked, (and suffer) burnout, which will inevitably lead to mistakes. That is just logic.”
The positions that have been advertised range from clinical unit head (psychiatry) to medical specialists, chief artisans, operational managers, occupational therapists, diagnostic radiographers, dieticians, EMS shift leaders, pharmacy assistants, emergency care officers and dental assistants.
The department has extended the contracts of 2 949 COVID-19 contract appointments for a further five months, ending on November 30. The fixed term contracts of 55 employees for the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital’s newly built 100-bed Siemens donated ward in Mdantsane have also been extended for nine months until March 31, 2022.
“We will continue filling vacancies as we go ahead as we move to ensure all critical positions are not left vacant,” Meth concluded.
– ISSUED BY THE EASTERN CAPE
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH
