The Eastern Cape Department of Health has appointed seasoned administrator and medical doctor, Rolene Wagner as the new Superintendent-General, effective from August 1 2021.Dr Wagner comes with a wealth of experience as she led Frere Hospital with distinction for years as its CEO before taking up a position as Deputy Director General: Hospitals and Clinical Support Management Services.

Her appointment comes after a lengthy recruitment process following the resignation of former Head of Department Dr Thobile Mbengashe last year.
Health MEC Nomakhosazana Meth said no better person could have been appointed.
“Dr Wagner is just what the Department needs and we are happy she is back with us after she was stolen by the private sector. With her leadership skills and knowledge of the health sector, working with senior management, organised labour and workers, we are sure she will excel.
“We have all seen what she can do as she turned Frere Hospital around and now she will have that same energy and innovativeness for the entire province. We wish Dr Wegner well in her new responsibility,” she said.
Dr Wagner’s appointment is part of an ongoing recruitment process to address staff shortages in clinics and hospitals.
Over the next couple of weeks and months, the Department will be shortlisting, interviewing and appointing people into critical positions that have been left vacant because of budgetary constraints.
The MEC said while medico-legal claims were a challenge that have drained the Department’s coffer’s resulting in critical vacancies not being filled, not filling the position was not an option.
“We cannot have a situation where doctors and nurses have to see and treat too many people, or have a shortage of cleaners and porters because in order for us to provide a more professional, effective and efficient service, we need everyone to play their part.
“We are continuously working towards addressing medico-legal claims, but we cannot put the filling of vacancies on hold until them because when you have staff shortage, those who are at work will be overworked, burnout and stale which will inevitably lead to mistakes. That is just logic.”
The positions that have been advertised range from clinical unit head (psychiatry) medical specialists, chief artisans, operational managers, occupational therapists, diagnostic radiographers, dieticians, EMS shift leaders, pharmacy assistants, emergency care officers and dental assistants, among others.
The positions are scattered around health facilities in the province.
The Department has also extended the contracts of 2,949 COVID-19 contract appointments for a further five months, ending on 30 November 2021.
The fixed term contracts of 55 employees for the Cecilia Makiwane Hospital’s newly built 100 beds Siemens donated ward in Mdantsane have also been extended for nine months until 31 March 2022.
The MEC said: “We will continue filling vacancies as we go ahead as we move to ensure all critical positions are not vacant.”
Department of Health Spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo on 083 378 0196.
Issued by the Department of Health Communications.