The Health Ombud has uncovered serious lapses in patient care and safety following the death of a psychiatric patient at George Mukhari Academic Hospital in 2024.
The body of 35 year old Lerato Mohlamme was discovered after a fire broke out in the hospital’s psychiatric ward, while other patients were evacuated from the facility. Her death forms part of a wider investigation into patient safety within Gauteng’s healthcare system.
Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena found evidence of systemic abuse and negligence in Mohlamme’s treatment. The report revealed that her admission to the facility did not comply with required procedures, while key medical protocols were ignored.
Serious allegations, including sexual assault, were neither properly reported nor investigated. The investigation further found that medication was withheld and, in some cases, falsified. Mohlamme was also subjected to improper restraint methods and was not adequately monitored.
Mokoena indicated that the findings would be referred to regulatory bodies, including the Health Professions Council of South Africa and the South African Nursing Council, for possible disciplinary action against the healthcare professionals involved.
The report also highlighted broader systemic challenges affecting patient care, including staff shortages, inadequate infrastructure, and insufficient training in managing mental health patients.
In response, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the provincial government has begun implementing the ombud’s recommendations following this case and another patient death.
A separate report linked a neonatal death at Netcare Femina Hospital to incorrect medication, poor communication among staff, and weak governance in the intensive care unit.
Lesufi confirmed that the province accepts the findings and is working closely with the ombud’s office to address the issues.
Measures already introduced include increasing the number of specialist psychiatrists from three to eight, adding more nursing staff, and deploying additional security personnel at affected facilities.
He added that those implicated in the failures are being held accountable as part of efforts to strengthen the healthcare system and prevent similar incidents in future.
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