Billions Lost in Medical Malpractice Claims

South Africa's healthcare system faces severe financial pressure due to rising medical negligence claims, costing over R2 billion annually. Around 2,000 negligence complaints are filed each year, and contingency liabilities now exceed R100 billion.

Examples of negligence are found across both public and private sectors. A 17-year-old in the Free State tragically lost her baby after a delayed ambulance response, while a newborn in the Eastern Cape suffered brain damage due to lack of monitoring. Regions like the Eastern Cape, Limpopo, and KwaZulu-Natal report the highest numbers of cases, with Eastern Cape alone seeing 379 claims, costing R4.5 billion.

Proving negligence is challenging and often leads to lengthy legal battles, with many cases involving birth injuries that require ongoing care. As public awareness grows, more individuals are filing claims, adding further strain to an already burdened system.

Provincial Breakdown of Claims:

• Eastern Cape: 379 cases, R4.5 billion

• Free State: 52 cases, R446 million

• Gauteng: 107 cases, R975 million

• KwaZulu-Natal: 204 cases, R1.9 billion

• Limpopo: 277 cases, R2.5 billion

• Mpumalanga: 142 cases, R1.4 billion

• Northern Cape: 20 cases, R327 million

• North West: 64 cases, R379 million

• Western Cape: 77 cases, R806 million

As claims continue to rise, solutions like Patient Cover™ offer potential relief by providing timely settlements and reducing the need for lengthy litigation. This approach benefits patients with quicker compensation, protects healthcare professionals, and alleviates financial strain on the medical system.