Cardiac outcomes at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital require an urgent investigation by the Health Ombud, according to DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom. Gauteng Health denies the allegations and claims outcomes have actually improved, reports TimesLIVE.
Earlier this week DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom said heart patients were dying because of the “grossly mismanaged cardiothoracic department”; that repeated calls for an independent investigation had been ignored; and that this had led to a senior heart surgeon resigning last year.
Bloom, who has referred the matter to Health Ombud Taole Mokoena for an “urgent and independent investigation”, added that the resignation raised concerns about “persistently poor surgical outcomes, a severely compromised training environment, a breakdown in engagement with hospital authorities and the intimidation of junior doctors”.
He also alleged that there may have been a “disgraceful cover-up” and claimed the real mortality rate could be about 20%, which was a “catastrophic failure”.
However, in a written reply to the legislature, Gauteng Health said there was an “overall 72.5% decrease in the mortality rate between 2023 and 2025”, showing “a substantial and sustained improvement in patient outcomes within the department”.
It said these data did not indicate “an abnormal or rising mortality trend” and that there was “no evidence of systemic failure or elevated risk that would necessitate a formal commission of inquiry”.
But it acknowledged several operational challenges, like “significant delays in surgical interventions and a substantial reduction in training and skills development opportunities” due to vacant posts.
There was also “significant dysfunction as a result of a breakdown in relationships among several staff, including registrars”.
The written response noted that many patients were waiting for surgery.
According to the department:
• 31 patients are waiting for bypass surgery with a wait of 16 weeks; and
• 29 patients are waiting for valve replacements with a 14-week wait.
The department said it was trying to fill vacant posts but in some cases, no applications were received.
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