Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has vowed to take action following the release of a damning report by the Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, into the deaths of two patients in Gauteng. The report highlighted serious failures in care, governance, and patient safety across both public and private healthcare facilities.
One of the investigations found that psychiatric patient Lerato Mohlamme died after a fire broke out in a seclusion unit at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. The report revealed multiple failures, including an improper admission process, the withholding of food and medication, and inadequate fire safety measures. According to the National Department of Health, such incidents are a stark reminder of the need for improved patient care and safety in South African healthcare facilities.
Findings and Recommendations
A separate probe examined the death of a newborn at Netcare Femina Hospital, where concerns were raised about the standard of care in the neonatal unit. Motsoaledi said any legal challenges to the Ombud’s findings would not halt government action, emphasizing that some of the conduct identified could not be attributed to infrastructure or resource constraints.
“Refusing, withholding food from somebody has got nothing to do with infrastructure. It’s just outright inhuman for any person who is taking care of anybody,” he said. He further described the withholding of medication as “a cardinal sin”, adding that such cases would be referred to professional bodies for disciplinary processes.
Systemic Failures in Healthcare
ActionSA MP Kgosi Letlape welcomed the findings, saying they validated longstanding concerns about the country’s healthcare system. “South Africa’s public healthcare sector is in a state of deep and undeniable crisis – the findings of the Health Ombud confirm what patients, healthcare workers, and communities have been saying for years,” Letlape said.
He described the report as “thorough and courageous”, saying it exposed systemic failures within the public health system. Letlape said the findings should serve as a wake-up call, warning that urgent intervention could no longer be delayed. He called on government to escalate its response, urging the minister to declare a national public healthcare crisis.
Some of the key concerns raised by the report include:
- Inadequate patient care and safety measures
- Improper admission processes
- Withholding of food and medication
- Inadequate fire safety measures
As the government moves to address these concerns, it is essential to recognize the importance of quality healthcare in ensuring the well-being of all South Africans.
