Professor Mayosi helped HPCSA embark on turnaround strategy
THE Health Professions Council of SA (HPCSA) is saddened by the sudden passing of one of the top cardiologists in the country, Professor Bongani Mawethu Mayosi.
Professor Mayosi was one of our brilliant minds, a pioneer and a medical giant in research on heart ailments. His first engagement with the HPCSA was in 1983, when he registered as a student studying towards an MBChB degree with the then University of Natal (now known as the University of KwaZuluNatal). He subsequently obtained the degree in 1989.
He then registered as an intern from January 12 1990 until December of the same year, when he was registered as a medical practitioner in the category of independent practice. On April 8, 1997 he was registered in the professional category of independent practice specialist medicine after completing his registrar training in recognised medical posts at the University of Cape Town, attached to Groote Schuur Hospital.
On December 1, 2003 he was registered in the professional category of independent practice subspecialist medicine: cardiology after he served as a consultant in the recognised posts at UCT.
During this entire registration period with the council, Professor Mayosi paid his annual fees on time and as such his name was in good standing with the council.
Professor Mayosi was a member of the Medical and Dental Professions Board for the period February 2004 to February 2009. During that period, he served as chairperson of the Postgraduate Education and Training Committee (Medical) of the Medical and Dental Professions Board. His contribution to the Medical and Dental Professions Board, and the Health Professions Council of SA in general was immensely valuable.
It was indeed a great privilege to have worked with him.
In February 2015, Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi appointed Professor Mayosi to lead the ministerial task team (MTT) to investigate allegations of administrative irregularities, mismanagement and poor governance at the HPCSA
This was as a result of a progressive increase in the number of complaints made against the HPCSA by individual practitioners, professional associations, training institutions and other organisations.
The MTT presented five recommendations, one of which was to ovehaul the information communication technology, data and records management systems, and generally improve the efficiency of the HPCSA.
The HPCSA credits the MTT under the leadership and guidance of Professor Mayosi for propelling the HPCSA to embark on a turnaround strategy to improve its efficiency and service delivery to stakeholders.
As the health-care regulator, we are gripped by this difficult and painful period following the loss of one of the pioneers in the medical fraternity, especially in the field of cardiology.
Professor Mayosi inspired our current generation of practitioners, and they must continue to aspire to reach and surpass the great heights that he attained.
The HPCSA in its current form as a transformed institution benefited greatly from the guidance and leadership that Professor Mayosi provided when he was the chairperson of the ministerial task team. It was an honour to have known such a great person.
The HPCSA, in particular the Medical and Dental Professions Board, will surely miss the presence of a truly remarkable and humble person.
The HPCSA encourages health practitioners to create an environment where they can support each other to cope with challenges and pressures at the workplace.
Through empathetic listening and encouragement, these platforms will serve as an integral part of efforts to assist fellow health care practitioners to cope with social or emotional barriers, and to stay motivated to reach their goals.
The peer support networks would also serve as an early warning system that would trigger HPCSA proactive support.
In this difficult time, we extend our most sincere and heartfelt condolences to the Mayosi family, friends, the South African public and the broader South African health-care fraternity whom Professor Mayosi served with diligence and the greatest humility.