Durban - The KwaZulu-Natal health department faces legal claims relating to medical negligence of at least R990 million, the DA said on Monday.
This emerged in a written response to questions by the Democratic Alliance to health MEC Sibongiseni Dhlomo.
According to the response, signed by Dhlomo on November 11 and made public on Monday, the department listed legal claims totalling R992.2m for the 2012/13 financial year.
DA health spokeswoman Makhosazana Mdlalose said almost R800m of the claims related to maternal health care.
“The sheer volume of claims raises serious concerns over the quality of medical care on offer to patients who are completely reliant on state health care,” said Mdlalose.
Claims totalling R100m were made against Durban's Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, a further R60m in claims were made against Durban's King Edward VIII Hospital, and R40m were made against Durban's Addington Hospital.
Mdlalose said claims against provincial hospitals in the previous financial period of 2011/12 amounted to R600m.
Sapa