Parliament, Friday, 01 November 2019 – The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, has extended a sincere word of gratitude and deep appreciation, on behalf of the committee to the outgoing Director-General of the Department of Health, Ms Precious Malebone Matsoso for the excellent leadership she provided in the department since 2010.
Dr Dhlomo said: “Ms Matsoso is an excellent leader who focussed on turning around the health care system of the country. Under her leadership, we have seen a significant improvement in the maternal outcomes of our women, an increase in the number of Cuba- SA doctor training programme and produce doctors who come back and serve in the underprivileged communities. We applaud her for her unwavering support for the primary health care system.”
According to Dr Dhlomo, Ms Matsoso leaves behind strong foundations on which the National Health Insurance (NHI) programme will be built. He said a number of innovative programmes were developed under her leadership, and “some of them focused directly on the standards and norms of our health facilities”.
Furthermore, Dr Dhlomo said, notwithstanding many challenges the department is faced with, Ms Matsotso leaves behind a stable department that will be taken forward easily by anyone who will take over from her.
Dr Dhlomo said the Presidential Health Summit and Presidential Health Compact reports which Ms Matsotso leaves behind will assist her successor in taking the department to the next level and new heights.
The committee wishes Ms Matsotso well in her pursuit of doctorate degree studies. “We also thank her for her diligent support to both the former Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the current Minister, Dr Zweli Mkhize.
ISSUED BY THE PARLIAMENTARY COMMUNICATION SERVICES ON BEHALF OF THE CHAIRPERSON OF THE PORTFOLIO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, DR SIBONGISENI DHLOMO.
For media enquiries or interviews with the Chairperson, please contact the committee’s Media Officer:
Name: Felicia Lombard (Ms)
Parliamentary Communication Services
Tel: 021 403 8285
Cell: 081 548 7011
E-mail: flombard@parliament.gov.za
Arrange a tour