Massive medico-legal claims debt

THE Eastern Cape health department is facing an unprecedented crisis with R1.4-billion in medicolegal claims against it, triggering a reduction of almost 2 000 jobs from its employment budget and debt of well over R1-billion accruing.

The department is also facing the sale of its Bhisho head office on Friday if it fails to pay millions of rands in damages.

This comes as a department attorney appealed to lawyers who have won R80-million in damages against them to give them time until the new financial year – starting in April – to pay. The sheriff was set to sell the department’s head office in Bhisho at the end of March – which falls on Friday.

Eastern Cape health MEC Dr Pumza Dyantyi told the standing committee on appropriations in parliament last week that they had accrued unpaid debts of R1.4-billion.

She also told parliament that they were forced to reduce the number of people being employed by the department by 1 954 as they were paying the claims from their employment budget.

Department spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said the court orders had exceeded the budget. The estimated amount of pending orders is approximately R80-million.

“The department being a target of litigation is a national issue, which the Finance Minister [Pravin Gordhan] has pronounced on.

“It’s not unique to this province,” Kupelo said.

“In some cases there is evidence of collusion between lawyers and health department staff.

“We also see the theft of patient files. These people always target the old cases.”

On Monday the voiced its concern.

“We are seeking a meeting with the joint committees to discuss what it views to be unsubstantiated and sensationalist allegations against attorneys with regard to medical negligence claims.

“Attorneys cannot be blamed for simply carrying out their duties on behalf of victims who have been wronged,” LSSA co-chairperson Mvuzo Notyesi said. — TMG Law Society