Zuko Komisa
- Professor Taole Mokoena has published reports on two high-profile patient safety failures in Gauteng.
- Findings cover the fire-related death of a psychiatric patient at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital and a neonatal death at Netcare Femina.
- The psychiatric unit tragedy followed a fire in a seclusion room, which claimed the life of a 35-year-old woman in June 2024.
South Africa’s Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, has released the findings of two critical investigations into patient safety incidents within the Gauteng province.
The briefing addresses the tragic death of a mental health patient at Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital (DGMAH) and a neonatal fatality at the private Netcare Femina Hospital.
Mokoena said proper admission processes were not followed in the case of Lerato Mohlamme, who died in a fire incident in 2024 and that the admission was illegal as she was not examined by two doctors before being admitted to the institution.
The investigation into DGMAH was initiated following a complaint from the South African Human Rights Commission.
It stems from a 2024 incident where a 35-year-old woman, who had been admitted to the female psychiatric unit, died after a fire broke out in her seclusion room.
While 17 other patients were successfully evacuated and the blaze was contained, the victim sustained fatal burn injuries.
According to the Gauteng Department of Health, the cause of the fire remains unknown and is currently the subject of a South African Police Service investigation.
These findings from the Ombud are expected to highlight systemic gaps in patient monitoring and facility safety protocols within both the public and private healthcare sectors.
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