Emeritus Professor Taole Mokoena has been appointed as the new health ombudsman.

Health Minister Joe Phaahla has described Mokoena as one of the most outstanding South African medical scholars who has transcended the globe to show the quality of South Africa’s academic prowess.

He is a medical graduate of the University of Natal as well as of the University of Oxford. He recently retired. But continues to provide mentorship to students. His clinical and research interests include immunology, oncology and endocrinology.

Mokoena replaces Professor Malegapuru Makgoba whose seven-year term came to an end on Wednesday. Makgoba has said that South Africa’s health system is dysfunctional.