Dr Sandile Tshabalala appointed as new, full-time Head of KZN Department of Health
KWAZULU-Natal Health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu has welcomed the appointment of Dr Sandile Tshabalala as the new, full-time Head of Department, hailing it as a move that will bring about stability.
Dr Tshabalala is a seasoned healthcare professional and leader, and has worked as the CEO and medical manager of several hospitals in the province.
Born in Umlazi township, he matriculated from Sekusile High School at Madadeni in 1987. He holds a Bachelor of Science BSc from UNIZUL (1989-1991); and a MBCHB from MEDUNSA (1992- 1996). His illustrious medical journey began when he was appointed as an intern at Ngwelezane in 1997, and he became a medical officer working in ICU and Theatre, as well as a sessional doctor from 1999 to 2008.
He served as a medical manager at Clairwood Hospital from December 2012, and again played the same role at Wentworth Hospital from 2014 to 2015.
He was appointed CEO of Ngwelezane Hospital from October 2008 to July 2010; a role that he would later again perform at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital from 2015 to 2017.
He has also worked as a programme manager at head office responsible for Medical Male Circumcision, condom distribution and behavioural change from October 2010 to November 2012. Until now, he has been the chief director: clinical support services.
As a student, he was active in the SRC, including in the health and education sub-committees. He also worked at an NGO Khanya Africa as a secretary; and is a founding member and regional treasurer for the Progressive Professionals Forum.
About his appointment, Dr Tshabalala said: “I am deeply honoured and humbled at being appointed to head the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health. I am very grateful to the Honourable Premier for the confidence that he has shown in me. I promise to discharge my duties with diligence and loyalty in the service of the people of KwaZulu-Natal. I am particularly looking forward to implementing a range of new, innovative and exciting programmes that have been introduced by our Honourable MEC, Ms Nomagugu Simelane-Zulu, which are aimed at improving the overall health outcomes of the people of this province.”
He also pledged to support and help realise a range of new and innovative programmes that have been introduced by KZN Health MEC Ms Nomagugu Simelane, including:
*The introduction and roll-out of an electronic patient record filing system;
*Striving to achieve a minimum staff establishment of 60% at healthcare facilities to relieve the workload on staff, improve client experience, among others;
*Making healthcare facility managers, and those who head up the province’s 11 health districts, more accessible and accountable to the public in order to improve service delivery;
*Improving the health outcomes of women and children by fighting non-communicable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, obesity; as well as teenage pregnancy, TB and chronic ailments such as HIV/AIDS;
*Strengthening occupational health and safety, and employee assistance programmes, for staff and;
*Improving overall efficiency and service.
In welcoming Dr Tshabalala’s appointment, MEC Simelane-Zulu said: “We are very pleased to have Dr Tshabalala on board as the HOD. His is a very important appointment, as this Department has been without a permanent Head of Department for nearly two years, which is something you can ill-afford for a Department of this magnitude, with the kind of mandate that it has. In Dr Tshabalala, the Department is in good hands administratively. He brings in a wealth of leadership qualities and experience within the public health sector, all of which will come in very handy as we implement our programmes that are aimed at reducing the burden of disease in this province. We wish to assure him of our full support, and we wish him well as he embarks on this new journey.”
ENDS
Issued by the KZN Department of Health
