JOHANNESBURG - Health Minister, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has praised the credentials of the department's new director-general, Thembisile Xulu.
She takes the reins from Professor Nicholas Crisp.
Motsoaledi said she has her work cut out for her as the implementation of the National Health Insurance gains momentum.
“We are very excited that we have got the DG, firstly, who is a female, but who is also medically trained as a doctor, but who also worked in several areas, the most recent of which was the CEO of South African National AIDS Council, which, as you know, consists of 18 sectors.
"She's bringing a wealth of experience to the department. Her work is cut out, but generally the most important thing we want her to do is to strengthen the healthcare system, strengthen its infrastructure, make sure that all the posts that are essential and filled up, then it will give us power to move forward on other programs and initiatives."