The Health Services Board (HSB) has fired chief executives of five major Government hospitals in a move it has described as a “restructuring exercise” within the Ministry of Health and Child Care.
The development was confirmed by HSB chairperson Paulinus Sikhosana on Sunday evening. He also revealed that the five hospital bosses had since been replaced by their hospitals’ clinical directors in an acting capacity. Sikhosana said:
Yes, I can confirm the latest development and changes within the ministry. It is part of a restructuring within the ministry.
Like in any organisation, the restructuring is being carried out to improve operational efficiency, effectiveness, accountability as well as effective use of resources within the ministry. We want to keep the integrity of the organisation.
Sikhosana, however, declined to name the directors and senior members of staff within the Health Ministry who had been moved from their posts or of the people who replaced the CEOs.
The Herald understands that those who were moved out are Ernest Manyawu of Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Dr Tinashe Dhobbie of Sally Mugabe Central Hospital, Dr Enock Mayida of Chitungwiza Central Hospital, Nonhlanhla Ndlovu of United Bulawayo Hospitals and Leonard Mabhandi of Ingutsheni Hospital, a major psychiatric hospital near Bulawayo.
The HSB boss added that the restructuring exercise will be carried out at all government-controlled hospitals.