A doctor, who started his career as a medical officer at the Mitchell’s Plain CHC, has been appointed the Western Cape’s head of health.
On Thursday January 23, Health MEC Dr Nomafrench Mbombo, officially introduced Dr Keith Cloete who will take up his new role at the beginning of April.
Dr Cloete is currently employed as the Deputy Director General: Chief of Operations for Western Cape Government: Health, a position he has held since March 2015. He was the Chief Director for Metro District Health Services since 2007 and before that, the Director: HIV/ AIDS/ STI and TB since 2003.
“Dr Cloete has deep roots in the communities of the Western Cape. Hailing from Worcester, and having studied Medicine at UCT, he performed his internship at Groote Schuur, New Somerset, Peninsula Maternity and Red Cross Hospitals,” said Dr Mbombo.
“He started his professional career as a medical officer at the Mitchell’s Plain CHC, and has worked in multiple positions towards the senior management level in the department over the past 28 years. I believe he is well positioned to grasp the community’s needs but also the complexities of the wide range of health systems challenges. He has also worked extensively in inter-government initiatives locally, and has participated nationally and internationally as part of various health systems initiatives.”
When asked about the road ahead, Dr Cloete said: “I am humbled by the responsibility of the position that I will hold. I am thankful for the opportunity to play my part to contribute towards the greater good, with a special commitment to the most vulnerable members of society.
“I thank my predecessors for the solid foundation that has been laid to build upon, and pay my sincerest appreciation to especially Dr Beth Engelbrecht for her exemplary leadership and for creating an enabling and person-centred culture in our department, over the past five years.
“I am extremely fortunate to be able to work with an exceptional team of managers and clinical staff members.
“I believe that we will continually improve our health care system as a cohesive collective, in order to serve our society better.”