A psychiatric patient died after a fire in a seclusion unit at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital
Image: File Picture: Jonisayi Maromo/IOL
Government will press ahead with action following damning findings by the Health Ombud into two patient deaths in Gauteng, with Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi indicating that a tribunal could be established if the report is formally challenged.
The findings, released by Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena, uncovered serious failures in care, governance and patient safety across both public and private healthcare facilities.
One investigation found that psychiatric patient Lerato Mohlamme died after a fire broke out in a seclusion unit at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital. The report highlighted multiple failures, including an improper admission process, the withholding of food and medication, and inadequate fire safety measures.
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.
“So people always take issues on review, but the fact that they were found guilty does not mean we will stop doing what we have to do until such time that a retired judge or magistrate passes a verdict that there’s something wrong with the Health Ombud report. As long as there’s nothing like that, we will take appropriate action and report to the ombud,” he said.
He explained that legislation allows for the establishment of a tribunal, chaired by a retired judge or magistrate and supported by medical experts, to review the findings if concerns are raised about the process.
Motsoaledi emphasised 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.
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.
He added that “the tragedy of the Life Esidimeni remains a painful reminder of what happens when systemic failures are ignored”.
DAILY NEWS