Key Strategic Post Filled - Deputy Director General

Dr Joey Cupido has been appointed as Deputy Director-General (DDG) of District Health Services and Health Programmes from 1 November 2006. He has acted in this position since 13 January 2006.

He has been involved in achieving various key milestones for Primary Health Care Services including the phasing out of the then district surgeon services, which were seen as discriminatory at the time. Furthermore, Dr Cupido has played a key role in the development and introduction of Home-Based Care Programmes and the implementation and institutionalization of Community Home-Based Care in the Western Cape.

Dr Cupido has been involved in a number of key initiatives in the Department of Health including:

• The preparation of "Input and Position Papers' that influenced the assumption of responsibility for Personal Primary Health Care services in the non-metro areas - a decision endorsed by the National Health Council earlier this year.
• Influencing the National Guidelines for the drafting of District Health Plans and the broader planning processes at a National/ Provincial level.
• Participating actively in the drafting of the Departmental Strategic Position Statement (SPS) - Health Care 2010, and the Comprehensive Service Plan (CSP).

He is a medical doctor by profession and has been in the Public Service since 1996. He also holds an MB, ChB and a Diploma in Health Management.

"Dr Cupido brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to this key position. I welcome his appointment as Deputy Director General District Health Services and Health Programmes and look forward to working with him to improve the quality of health care delivered to our communities', says Professor Keith Craig Househam, Head of the Department of Health.

Pierre Uys, the Minister of Health in the Western Cape says, 'I would like to congratulate Dr Cupido on this key and strategic appointment and wish him everything of the best in his new challenges. I have every confidence that Dr Cupido will provide leadership to key areas such as the development of district health services and key programs such as HIV and AIDS and TB".