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Embattled Whanganui District Health Board chief executive Memo Musa has resigned, saying it is "time to move on".
Mr Musa had come under increasing fire over a series of failed sterilisations carried out at the hospital by disgraced Czech-trained surgeon Roman Hasil.
Last month, a critical Health and Disability Commissioner report found eight of 32 sterilisations performed by Dr Hasil in 2005 and 2006 failed, with six women subsequently becoming pregnant. Most had abortions.
Commissioner Ron Paterson found the DHB breached the Health and Disability Code by not properly checking Dr Hasil's background, failing to monitor his practice effectively and failing to respond to concerns about him fast enough.
Mr Musa said in a written statement that he was proud of everything the board had achieved, but said events of the past year had overshadowed those achievements, the Dominion Post said today.
He said the incidents of the past year, especially the events around Dr Hasil's practice, had occurred "despite and not because of the management changes and other changes implemented under my leadership".
Mr Musa, who has been in the position seven years, will stay in the job until July 31.
Whanganui DHB chairwoman Kate Joblin said Mr Musa's resignation had been accepted with reluctance.
- NZPA
