Eastern Cape Health MEC says vacancies are being filled in Nelson Mandela Bay

01 Feb 2016 | Admin Author

Eastern Cape Health MEC, Sicelo Gqobana, says advertisements for several critical posts will go out this weekend.

Addressing health stakeholders in Nelson Mandela Bay on Thursday, Gqobana said they're filling vacancies for doctors, specialists and sessional doctors.

He says dozens of nursing posts have also been filled in the PE hospital complex while nearly R150m has been found to fill other critical vacancies that include management and clinical posts as well as replacement posts across the province.

MEC Gqobana also had some strong words for officials in human resources, where he says many of the stumbling blocks to filling critical posts and non-payment of doctors arise.

"When you trace the source of this problem you discover that no work is being done in HR, the doctors were not told that their particular documents were outstanding and therefore those who are doing the payment cannot proceed without all documents that are required for any appointment to be in the file. That is why I am saying across the province it is as if we have a disease called HR" he said.

HE also hinted that health facilities in the Eastern Cape may be moving towards introducing alternative energy sources rather than relying on power utility Eskom.

He says this is a matter that will be finalised in a few weeks time.

"We are also discussing a shift from this issue of Eskom which seems to be expensive and problematic, to a more accessible way of energy for hospitals and clinics" Gqobana said.