Health Director's body found

The state pathologist's office has attributed Toms' death to meningococcal meningitis.

“This comes as a terrible shock. Ivan was widely known and respected in the medical fraternity,” said Cape Town City Manager Achmat Ebrahim.

“He was a hard-working, loyal and committed colleague, passionate about medical care, especially for the poor.”

According to the city, concerns were raised when Dr Toms did not turn up for a regular top management meeting on Monday morning, nor did he answer his phone.

Ebrahim asked VIP Security to check on him at home where his body was discovered and the police were alerted.

The City's Executive Mayor Helen Zille said Dr Toms distinguished himself in the institution with his tremendous energy, commitment and enthusiasm for helping people and communities through his work.

"As Executive Director for Health, he led his department to exceed its own targets for reducing Cape Town's HIV and AIDS and Tuberculosis infection rate, as well as infant mortality rate

"He will be sadly missed by many. His memory and zest for life will live on. I would like to extend my condolences to his brother and friends,” Zille said.

In 2006, Dr Toms was awarded the bronze Order of the Baobab by President Thabo Mbeki for his role in fighting apartheid and sexual discrimination.

He will also be remembered for the work he did over the years to help build and support community structures in disadvantaged areas such as Manenberg.

From 1991 to 1993 Dr Toms was a National Coordinator for Service Development in the National Progressive Primary Health Care Network, where he ran projects in rural and peri-urban informal settlements.

He later became Director of the Students' Health and Welfare Centres Organisation from 1993 to 1996.

He then joined the Cape Metropolitan Council as Director of Health Services in 1996 and became Health Services head for the then City of Tygerberg in 1997.

In 1999 he became Director of Health Services for the City of Cape Town and became a member of the top management team and Executive Director for this portfolio on 1 September 2006.

Article published courtesy of BuaNews