Eight CEOs of Gauteng Health facilities have been charged internally for not complying with or overseeing health and safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic. TimesLIVE reports that this was confirmed in a written response by Gauteng Health MEC Nomathemba Mokgethi to Democratic Alliance (DA) health shadow MEC Jack Bloom.
All the CEOs were facing similar disciplinary charges: failing to hold a daily meeting on personal protective equipment (PPE), (not) doing environmental risk assessments and (not) holding weekly occupational health and safety meetings.
TimesLIVE reports that the CEOs are from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Helen Joseph Hospital, Rahima Moosa Hospital and Tshwane District Hospital. The other four are from the Wits Oral & Dental Hospital, Medunsa Oral & Dental Hospital, Medical Supplies Depot and Forensic Pathology Services.
Bloom is quoted by TimesLIVE as saying he was concerned that the CEOs neglected occupational health and safety during the pandemic. This increased the risk of staff contracting the virus. Since January last year there were also three disciplinary cases against other hospital CEOs, he added.