News
November 25, 2025
Health department forced to cough up R5m for negligence
The Eastern Cape health department has been told to pay a patient R5m just a month after it was ordered by the Bhisho High Court to pay out R12m to a mother whose child suffered brain injury at birth, which caused cerebral palsy.
**Eastern Cape Health Department Faces Another Huge Payout After Negligence Ruling**
The Eastern Cape Department of Health is reeling after being ordered to pay out a hefty R5 million to a patient, just weeks after a similar, even larger settlement was mandated by the Bhisho High Court. This latest legal blow comes as the department struggles to address systemic issues and provide adequate healthcare services across the province.
The ruling stems from a case of negligence, the details of which remain undisclosed, but it adds to a growing list of successful lawsuits against the department related to substandard medical care. The R5 million payout will undoubtedly place further strain on the already stretched budget of the Eastern Cape Health Department.
This latest case follows closely on the heels of a R12 million settlement awarded to a mother whose child suffered severe brain damage during birth, resulting in cerebral palsy. The High Court determined that negligence on the part of the medical staff during the delivery was directly responsible for the child's permanent disability. That case highlighted critical failings in neonatal care and raised serious questions about the competence and resources available in some of the province's healthcare facilities.
These multi-million rand payouts are not simply financial burdens; they represent profound failures in the healthcare system that have devastating consequences for individuals and families. They also raise serious questions about accountability within the department and the measures being taken to prevent future incidents of negligence.
Critics argue that the Eastern Cape Health Department needs to address the root causes of these issues, including staff shortages, inadequate training, and a lack of essential medical equipment. Without significant improvements, the department risks facing further lawsuits and, more importantly, failing to provide the quality of care that the people of the Eastern Cape deserve. The public is now watching closely to see what steps the department will take to rectify these systemic problems and ensure patient safety.
The Eastern Cape Department of Health is reeling after being ordered to pay out a hefty R5 million to a patient, just weeks after a similar, even larger settlement was mandated by the Bhisho High Court. This latest legal blow comes as the department struggles to address systemic issues and provide adequate healthcare services across the province.
The ruling stems from a case of negligence, the details of which remain undisclosed, but it adds to a growing list of successful lawsuits against the department related to substandard medical care. The R5 million payout will undoubtedly place further strain on the already stretched budget of the Eastern Cape Health Department.
This latest case follows closely on the heels of a R12 million settlement awarded to a mother whose child suffered severe brain damage during birth, resulting in cerebral palsy. The High Court determined that negligence on the part of the medical staff during the delivery was directly responsible for the child's permanent disability. That case highlighted critical failings in neonatal care and raised serious questions about the competence and resources available in some of the province's healthcare facilities.
These multi-million rand payouts are not simply financial burdens; they represent profound failures in the healthcare system that have devastating consequences for individuals and families. They also raise serious questions about accountability within the department and the measures being taken to prevent future incidents of negligence.
Critics argue that the Eastern Cape Health Department needs to address the root causes of these issues, including staff shortages, inadequate training, and a lack of essential medical equipment. Without significant improvements, the department risks facing further lawsuits and, more importantly, failing to provide the quality of care that the people of the Eastern Cape deserve. The public is now watching closely to see what steps the department will take to rectify these systemic problems and ensure patient safety.
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Politics