Patients harmed as Gauteng hospitals report 7117 Serious Adverse Events (SAEs)
25 September 2024
Gauteng’s public hospitals recorded a staggering 7117 Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) last year, causing widespread patient harm and many deaths.
SAEs refer to unintended harm inflicted on patients, potentially leading to injury, permanent disability, or even death. These incidents arise from various factors, but they are frequently linked to substandard hospital conditions and medical negligence.
The latest SAE figures were revealed by Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko in a written reply to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature.
There is a worrying uptrend as there were 6910 SAEs recorded in 2021, up from 4701 SAEs in 2020, and 4170 SAEs in 2019.