By: Natasha Archary
A staggering 7,117 Serious Adverse Events (SAEs) have been recorded at Gauteng public hospitals, causing concern over patient harm and possible deaths.
Democratic Alliance (DA) Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, Jack Bloom released a statement shedding light on the latest SAEs, following a written reply by Gauteng Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko.
SAEs refer to unintended harm inflicted on patients, potentially leading to injury, permanent disability, or even death.
These incidents arise from various factors but are frequently linked to substandard hospital conditions and medical negligence.
“There is a worrying uptrend as there were 6,910 SAEs recorded in 2021, up from 4,701 SAEs in 2020, and 4,170 SAEs in 2019.
The Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital recorded the highest number of SAEs, with 1169 incidents, followed by George Mukhari Academic Hospital (613), Steve Biko Academic Hospital (552), and Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital (447).
Tembisa Hospital led the tertiary hospitals with 437 SAEs, followed by Kalafong Hospital with 307 incidents, and Helen Joseph Hospital, which recorded 153 SAEs
Among regional hospitals, Leratong Hospital topped the list with 499 SAEs. Pholosong Hospital recorded 325 incidents, Thelle Mogoerane Hospital had 318, and Rahima Moosa Hospital reported 239. The remaining regional hospitals each registered fewer than 200 SAEs, with Sebokeng Hospital reporting the lowest at 72.”
In district hospitals, Bheki Mlangeni Hospital was the only one to report more than 100 SAEs, with a total of 119.
Notably concerning are the 452 SAEs reported at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital.
Despite the Department’s claim that comprehensive measures are being implemented to reduce SAEs, the DA says only 29 officials across nine hospitals faced disciplinary action last year.
The DA will push for better hospital management, prompt filling of staff vacancies, provision of essential equipment, and robust training and disciplinary measures to address poor performance that leads to patient harm.
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