GAUTENG HEALTH FACES R1.9 BILLION LAWSUITS

I am highly concerned by the report in today's City Press newspaper that the Gauteng Health Department faces 336 legal claims for medical negligence totalling R1.9 billion (see here).

This shows the depth of the crisis in Gauteng hospitals, especially in maternity wards as 35% of cases were due to brain damage caused by alleged negligence at birth.

The highest claims come from Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital with 54 cases, 16 from Natalspruit Hospital and 13 at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Hospital.

The human tragedy from this is immense, especially for mothers who face the trauma of caring for a brain-damaged child.

Court-ordered pay-outs as high as R20 million in a single case will put immense strain on health finances.

Top-class management and training are needed urgently to ensure that patients are healed and not damaged in our hospitals.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Health Spokesman, August 25 2013

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