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Eastern Cape Premier, Lubabalo Mabuyane, said the Covid19 pandemic has presented them with an opportunity to fundamentally transform the Provincial Health Department.
Speaking during a virtual media briefing in Bhisho on Tuesday, he said that this transformation would improve the Department's efficiency and effectiveness in delivering services to the people of the Eastern Cape.
Earlier he announced the establishment of a Project Management Unit in the Department of Health to lead the fight against the pandemic.
The Unit is led by, Dr Sibongile Zungu, who was part of the team seconded to the province by Health Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize, to assist the Health Department to get its house in order.
Mabuyane said the intervention of the PMU was the start of this transformation process.
“The war against COVID-19 has exposed us to glaring historical and systemic challenges in our provincial health care system.”
The Premier said that the team conducted and completed their assessment and his office acted on it, establishing the Project Management Unit, which will work closely with the HOD of Health and would also have a direct line to him.
However, he said; “I must hasten to add that the Provincial Department of Health is not under administration.”
Mabuyane said that 871 people had succumbed to Covid19 related complications in the province.
However, he said he was “buoyed” by the number of people who had recovered from the virus which currently sits at 44 087 people compared to the 65 316 who tested positive.
