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I am most concerned by the dispute over the appointment of Dr Nthabiseng Makgana as the CEO of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital (CHBH), as workers and the hospital’s Human Relations department claim she lacks the necessary experience and qualifications.

According to the HR department, there were irregularities in her appointment, and she only has three years experience at senior management level instead of the required eight years.

Workers have reportedly also written to Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko concerning discrepancies in her claimed qualifications for the CEO position which requires a relevant Masters degree.

This dispute follows the debacle of the CEO of the Rahima Moosa Hospital who lost her position after a scathing Health Ombud’s report which recommended higher standards in appointing suitable hospital CEOs.

The problem is that cadre deployment is rampant in the Gauteng Health Department, where who you know trumps what you know.

It is vitally important that a highly competent CEO is appointed for CHBH, which has a R3 billion budget and 6000 staff who treat thousands of patients from around the country.

The Democratic Alliances calls on the Gauteng Health MEC to review this appointment to ensure all proper procedures were followed to hire the best person.

Issued by Jack Bloom MPL - DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health