Every South African should be disturbed by the spate of hospital horror stories we’ve heard over the past few years – and by a sharp rise in cases of medical negligence.
Medical malpractice rife in South Africa
Medical negligence claims against provincial Health Departments increased by about 25 per cent per year between 2011 and 2016.
The Gauteng Department of Health receives a particularly staggering number of negligence claims each year. Since January 2015, it has been forced to pay out more than R1.017 billion to settle 185 medical negligence claims.
Deteriorating conditions in state hospitals, as well as incompetence and gross negligence on the part of staff members, are at the root of these claims – the vast majority of which were ruled in favour of the plaintiffs.
Hospital horrors
A number of shocking cases of gross medical negligence have received media attention over the past few years.
Birth injuries
Medical negligence claims involving the fields of obstetrics and gynaecology – particularly those involving brain-damaged babies – make up the largest medical negligence category in South Africa.
Often, birth injuries are serious, with life-long consequences for babies and their families.
In one of many similar incidents, medical staff at a public hospital in KwaZulu-Natal failed to perform an emergency C-Section, despite significant evidence that this was required. This led to oxygen starvation of the baby, who suffered physical and mental impairment.
The child’s parents sued the KZN Department of Health for negligence and, when the case was finalised, received R12.9 million in damages.
Maltreatment of mentally ill patients
A particularly shocking case of gross medical negligence came to the public’s attention in February this year, when the Health Ombudsman, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, released a statement regarding the deaths of 93 mentally ill patients in the province.
The deaths occurred after the Gauteng Department of Health moved 1300 patients from the Life Esidimeni healthcare facility to 27 unlicensed and ill-equipped healthcare facilities, in an attempt to cut costs.
Following the transfer, 93 patients died from causes such as dehydration, diarrhoea, epilepsy, heart attacks and other conditions unrelated to their mental illnesses.
Negligence by hospital support staff
Surgical mix-ups – ranging from amputations of the wrong limbs to infections due to items being left in patients’ bodies – make for shocking reading.
However, it’s less dramatic negligence on the part of hospital support staff that’s responsible for a significant percentage of South African medical malpractice cases.
Failing to react to obvious indicators that medical intervention is needed; failing to listen to patients and their families; ignoring measures for keeping environments and equipment sterile; incompetence in basic tasks like inserting drips – actions like these can have devastating consequences for patients.
Medical negligence not just in public hospitals
Medical malpractice may be rife in public hospitals, but be warned that it can also occur in private facilities.
In 2012, for example, the Medical Protection Society (MPS) reached a settlement of R25 million with the father of a child injured during a series of botched operations.
The little girl was born in Ireland with a bleed on the brain. She underwent surgery at the age of five to drain excess cerebrospinal fluid and water from the brain.
When her family relocated to South Africa a few years later, the child began to complain of headaches. A neurosurgeon at a private hospital in Mossel Bay advised the parents that their daughter needed a new shunt.
The first operation was unsuccessful, and two more surgeries were performed. The first two operations resulted in brain damage. The child now suffers from cognitive, memory, speech, visual and mobility issues.
Successful medical negligence claims
Obviously, no amount of money can make up for the pain, suffering and often life-long consequences of medical malpractice. However, compensation from responsible parties may ease the associated financial burden and cover the costs of required treatment, rehabilitation and support.
Suing a hospital or medical professional for medical negligence can be a complex process and requires suitable legal expertise.
How DSC Attorneys can help
At DSC Attorneys, we specialise in personal injury law and our medico-legal team has extensive experience in handling medical negligence claims. Contact us for the best possible legal assistance if you may have a claim.