Former Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital CEO Dr Nozuko Mkabayi, slammed by former Health Ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba for her appalling performance during her reign, has landed a top job in the Gauteng Health Department.
Mkabayi has been appointed acting director responsible for HIV and Aids/STI/TB (HAST) – earning the same salary as a hospital CEO.
News24 reports that more than a year ago, Makgoba recommended her removal from Rahima Moosa after she went AWOL for almost 100 days while the hospital was declared unsafe.
Mkabayi was transferred out of the hospital after it was found that, between her appointment in January 2021 and March last year, she had spent only 182 days at work, missing a further 98 days for no reason.
She was removed after a year-long investigation uncovered chaos at the country’s second-largest maternity hospital, sparked by a grievance from 55 staff of the neonatal ward in June 2021 that there were up to 80 patients but only 35 beds.
At the time, the EFF pointed out that Mkabayi had a history of “failure, incompetence and maladministration during her tenure as director of the Department of Health in the Eastern Cape”.
The DA member of the legislature and spokesperson for health in Gauteng Jack Bloom said no disciplinary action had been taken against Mkabayi, despite the ombud’s findings.
“The ombud’s report was released in March last year with a long list of recommendations to correct the poor management and appalling conditions at this hospital, including pregnant women sleeping on the floor.”
Bloom said Mkabayi notoriously suspended Dr Tim de Maayer who bravely exposed these conditions, and she only backtracked after the public outcry.
"She is now in a senior position despite her poor management style and questions about her mental stability. The Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) was investigating Mkabayi’s conduct, but the department says they have not shared any findings on her. This is despite the ombud supporting the HPCSA process for an independent psychiatric evaluation and strict monitoring after her transfer from the hospital to the head office.”
There had also been no feedback from Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi’s office, which was supposed to appoint an independent forensic and audit firm to investigate the hospital.
Khutso Rabothata, Gauteng Department of Health spokesperson, said there were internal processes unfolding they could not issue detailed information.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Signs of hope at Rahima Moosa Hospital
SIU to probe Rahima Moosa after ombud’s report
Callous disregard at ‘dirty’, ‘filthy’, ‘unsafe’ Rahima Moosa – Ombud
Doctors back paediatrician’s account of Rahima Moosa collapse
Maverick investigation: Mother and Child Hospital’s CEO denies any crisis