Limpopo Hospitals Referred to Health Ombud for Patient Death

Statement by Michele Clarke MP – DA Spokesperson on Health:

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will request that the Health Ombud investigate the 2023 death of a patient at Polokwane Provincial Hospital, following a series of alleged failures in her treatment and referral.

This follows the DA’s engagement with the patient’s family, during which it emerged that Bela-Bela Provincial Hospital and Mokopane Hospital allegedly failed to provide the necessary treatment. She was eventually referred to Polokwane Provincial Hospital in a critical condition, where she died following surgery.

There are serious allegations of medical negligence, including claims that both hospitals failed to perform the necessary surgery and that staff did not adequately stabilise the patient before transferring her to Polokwane Provincial Hospital.

These allegations are particularly concerning considering findings from a recent DA oversight visit to Bela-Bela Provincial Hospital, which revealed shortages of nurses and doctors, infrastructure failures, and an inability to cope with the daily demand for healthcare services.

The DA acknowledges and commends healthcare workers who continue to dedicate themselves to saving lives under extremely difficult working conditions. However, these challenges cannot excuse failures in patient care, and the circumstances surrounding this case must be thoroughly investigated.

The Health Ombud must establish whether medical negligence occurred, whether it contributed to the patient’s death, and who should be held accountable for any failures identified.

The DA extends our deepest condolences to the patient’s family and loved ones during this profoundly difficult time. The Health Ombud’s investigation must provide the answers and accountability the family and community deserve.