The IFP pleads to the KZN Premier, Willies Mchunu to ensure that competent individuals are appointed as KZN Head of Department of Health, as well as the Chief Financial Officer.
The process of filling these posts are at an advanced stage. Those candidates who are about to be employed as the HOD and the CFO in the KZN Department of Health must have proven track records of requisite performance and in no way have been involved in any corrupt activities. The Premier must appoint an independent body to be in charge of short listing, interviewing and making recommendations as to which candidates are suitable, so as to avoid the appointment of any politically favoured, yet incompetent individuals.
The KZN Department of Health is in dire need of competent leadership. The fact that we do not have a permanent CFO and HOD is part of the reason why the KZN Department of Health is struggling to effectively fulfil its mandate. The KZN Department of Health needs to get its act right and focus on the important things first which is to appoint a competent leadership team that can navigate the department out of the current storm. Acting in positions is a paralysis because officials will be afraid to take bold decisions.
Without effective leadership and good governance at all levels in private, public and civil organizations, it is arguably virtually impossible to achieve and to sustain effective administration, to achieve goals, to sustain quality and deliver first-rate services. Competency is among the important qualities of an effective leadership.
The KZN Department of Health is in dire need of officials who are willing to develop new attitudes, skills and strategies in order to wrestle successfully all the challenges facing the department. As such, we need officials who consider themselves as being on job-on-training regardless of the extent of their previous experience in politics and governance. And such officials should be technocrats, rather than clueless figureheads!.
The Department of Health move from one crisis to another, we’re on our heels all the time, it’s reactionary. The Department is in shambles. I think what we’re missing here is a steady, long-term vision for what health care should be, and a concerted, strategic plan.
Issued by: Mrs Ncamisile Nkwanyana MPL, IFP KZN Provincial Spokesperson on Health, 078 302 3991
