Health crisis: Minister demands accountability after Ombudsman exposes hospital negligence

Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has called for accountability following two cases of negligence that led to the deaths of patients in Limpopo and Gauteng hospitals.

The Health Ombud's recent investigations revealed disturbing findings at hospitals in Limpopo and Johannesburg, highlighting serious breaches in clinical and ethical standards.

BREACHES IN LIMPOPO AND GAUTENG
At the Pietersburg Provincial Tertiary Hospital in Limpopo, investigations found severe staff shortages, inadequate equipment, and poor triage and post-operative care.

Meanwhile, at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in Johannesburg, a series of care failures led to the death of a patient.

A damning Health Ombud report, prompted by complaints from the families of two patients who died at the Gauteng and Limpopo hospitals, revealed substandard care that led to one of the deaths, and a medical procedure that caused a stroke in the other patient, who later died.

The two deceased patients were Pitsi Ramphele, who died at the Pietersburg Provincial Hospital in Limpopo last year, and Dr. Edward Mabubula, aged 64, who died at the Wits Donald Gordon Medical Centre in 2021.

OMBUDSMAN CALLS FOR SWEEPING REFORMS
The Health Ombudsman, Prof. Taole Mokoena, released his findings, stating that the discoveries are “deeply concerning and unacceptable.”

Mokoena is now calling for sweeping reforms, including:

Improved staffing

Infrastructure upgrades

Better adherence to medical protocols to prevent such incidents in the future.

The Health Ombud urges all healthcare providers to prioritise patient safety and quality care.

Written by Puleng Maake