Health Minister Dr Joe Phaahla has promised to close the tap on billions of rands in medical claims faced by his department. Currently the claims total more than R100bn, and the huge lawsuits for medical negligence are threatening to collapse the health system, he said.
IOL reports that Phaahla told Parliament on Tuesday (10 May) they wanted to close the loopholes in the system.
“Medical litigation is a major issue and some of our provinces are really struggling because of this.” He added that medico-legal claims were a drain on vital resources and key interventions included improved clinical management and record-keeping.
“We also need to deal with unscrupulous legal firms, and the aim is to reduce the liability by 80% by 2024. We have introduced a transversal system shared by provinces which provides case management systems, forensic investigation and overall improved management,” he said, adding that some of the firms have been referred to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
IOL article –We are closing the tap on medical claims: Joe Phaahla (Open access)
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