Epidemic of Malpractice Claims Threatens SA's Health Department with R125 billion In Debt

South Africa's Health Department is caught in an escalating predicament of malpractice claims, now amounting to an eye-watering R125 billion, according to the Office of the Auditor-General. The department is under intense pressure to settle some of these claims, which are based on incidences of medical negligence or malpractice.

This concerning revelation emerged during an Office of Auditor-General briefing to the select committee on appropriations in the National Council of Provinces. Despite all measures to curb medical negligence, the number of related claims seems to have risen, with Eastern Cape witnessing the highest volume of cases.

The 2019-2024 Medium Term Strategic Framework, the second five-year implementation plan for the National Development Plan (NDP), had aimed at universal health coverage for all South Africans by the year 2030. However, the escalating claims situation poses a clear risk to attaining this goal.

According to Thabelo Musisinyani, Auditor-General Business Unit leader, the department is alarmingly sitting at 110% of the target at the end of the Medium Term Strategic Framework's timeline.

A report indicates that as of March last year, a total of 15,148 claims were lodged against the government, valued at R125 billion. In contrast, the Department of Health noted claims amounting to only R 10.1 billion in the 2022/23 financial year. The department had paid R855.6 million towards medico-legal claims in the 2021-22 financial year.

This substantial dent in the nation's treasury has resulted in limited resources and compromised service at public health facilities, which, in turn, leads to further medical negligence and subsequent claims. Musisinyani suggested a close monitoring of fund allocation to ensure the adequate provision of equipment, infrastructure maintenance and workforce upskilling in the health sector.