Johannesburg – The Democratic Alliance in Gauteng says no action has been taken against health officials in the province despite a R1 billion payout in medical negligence cases.
DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom on Tuesday revealed that since January 2017, the province's health department has had to settle 185 cases.
Bloom's shocking statistics come emerge from a written reply to Bloom's questions by Health MEC Gwen Ramkgopa recently.
"Better management and accountability is essential in curbing medical mistakes as well as adequate staffing and equipment," he said.
Chris Hani Baragwaneth Hospital in Soweto is said to have the largest negligence cases which as resulted in up to R514 million being paid out to 44 claimants.
DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom speaks about the state of hospitals in the province #GPHealth #MedicalNegligence @IOL @IOLPolitics pic.twitter.com/EOAJHjczKV
— Noni Mokati (@Noni_M2) May 23, 2017
Other hospitals with severe cases include the Thelle Mogoerane Hospital (formerly Natalspruit hospital) paying R54 million for 12 cases and Pholosong hospital spending a whopping R78 million for 8 cases.
One of Pholosong cases include the deaths of a mother and her baby with R263 000 paid to their family while Kalafong Hospital paid up to R1.4 million after a patient was burnt by a nursing staff with hot water in the bathroom.
A list of payouts by the Gauteng Department of Health Picture: Noni Mokati
"The payout are taking an increasing huge chunk out of health budgets they should be better spent in ensuring that our hospitals always provide quality care," Bloom said.
He said it was astounding that no staff have been disciplined for any of the negligence cases.