Gauteng’s public hospitals are facing a mounting crisis as serious adverse events (SAEs) continue to rise, with experts warning that systemic failures are placing patients’ lives at risk.
Responding to questions from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in the Gauteng legislature, provincial Health and Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko confirmed that hospitals recorded 7 386 SAEs in 2024/2025, up from 7 117 the previous year.
The upward trend has continued steadily over recent years:
- 6 910 cases in 2021
- 4 701 cases in 2020
- 4 170 cases in 2019
SAEs include incidents that result in injury, permanent disability or death – and often indicate failures in care, staffing or systems.
Experts warn of ‘multifactorial’ collapse
Public health physician Dr Atiya Mosam described the increase as “deeply concerning”, noting that Gauteng’s hospitals are buckling under:
- chronic understaffing
- severe resource shortages
- infrastructure breakdowns
- inadequate supervision of junior and trainee clinicians
“Health care workers are overburdened, fatigued and working under extreme pressure, which inevitably heightens the risk of errors,” Mosam said.
She added that only systemic reforms – better staffing levels, improved working conditions, strengthened supervision and real accountability – can reverse the trend.
Health expert Lindiwe Mahlangu, from the Positive Women’s Network, echoed the concerns.
She said medical negligence, poor communication between health workers, lack of coordinated care and unclear clinical procedures all contribute to rising harm.
“Recurring incidents often point to gaps in training and competence,” she said.
“Regular training, performance evaluations, certification requirements and strong accountability measures are essential.”
Few consequences despite thousands of cases
DA provincial legislature member Jack Bloom criticised the department, noting that only 55 disciplinary actions were taken despite thousands of harm incidents.
“The department claims to be addressing SAEs, but the numbers show otherwise,” Bloom said.
“Patients should be healed in hospitals – not injured or killed due to poor care.”
Bloom also warned that SAEs drive massive medico-legal payouts, placing further financial strain on the health system.
He said the DA would push for management changes at chronically underperforming hospitals and urgent action on staff shortages and lacking equipment.
Hospitals with the highest number of SAEs
The following Gauteng facilities recorded the most serious adverse events:
- Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital – 1 257 cases
- George Mukhari Hospital – 600
- Steve Biko Academic Hospital – 592
- Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital – 498
- Helen Joseph Hospital – 434
- Weskoppies Hospital – 426
- Leratong Hospital – 414
- Tembisa Hospital – 384
- Bheki Mlangeni Hospital – 109
- Tshwane District Hospital – 51
- South Rand Hospital – 18
Trust in the system at stake
With patient harm rising year after year and disciplinary action remaining minimal, health experts say Gauteng’s public health system is at a breaking point.
Unless the province urgently addresses failures in staffing, infrastructure, training and accountability, they warn that SAEs will continue to rise – and public trust in the healthcare system will continue to erode.
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