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The Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital human resources director position, which has been vacant since June 2009, will be filled soon, vowed Gauteng MEC for Health, Ms Qedani Mahlangu on Monday.

MEC Mahlangu said the process to fill the vacancy was at an advanced stage and should be completed before the year end.

“The panel has already been put together, and the process of filling the post is currently underway. It is anticipated that the appointment will be done by the end of November 2016,” she said.

The delay in filling the vacancy can be attributed to various factors such as change in policy as result of Department of Public Service and Administration (DPSA) promulgation of senior management structure.

“The post was advertised and a suitable candidate could not be identified. It was then re-advertised and as we were about to shortlist the new essential requirement for Senior Management Service was promulgated by DPSA. The advert had to be recalled to ensure compliance to the new promulgated policy. The post was then re-advertised with the new requirement and we are currently in the process of shortlisting and interviewing for the position,” explained the MEC.

The MEC also revealed that the process of provincialising emergency medical services (EMS) was progressing at satisfactory level with the process being completed in Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality.

MEC Mahlangu explained the rationale for provincialisation as: “The Provincial EXCO resolved in 2002 to Provincialised Primary Health Centres and EMS. For EMS this process was implemented since April 2007 in Metsweding, while Sedibeng and West Rand provincialisation was done in September 2012 and November 2015 West Rand respectively.

“This is guided by legislation that prescribes EMS as provincial competency. The relevant mandate is enshrined within the Constitution of South Africa 1996, Schedule 5, and functional areas of exclusive provincial legislative competence and the Health Act no 61, 0f 2003.”

There is no set deadline for this process said the MEC. “The deadline will be informed by consultation with various affected stakeholders which includes Metro’s and staff through organised labour”.

Currently Gauteng Provincial EMS provides planned patient transport services in all Metropolitan and District Services which is offered directly from the same communities.

Issued by Department of Health Gauteng