Health Ombud slams George Mukhari Hospital over patient's death

The health ombud has found that the death of a psychiatric patient at the George Mukhari Academic Hospital in 2024 was marked by serious failures in care and patient safety.

The body of 35-year-old Lerato Mohlamme was found after a fire broke out in the facility’s psychiatric ward, while other patients were evacuated.

The findings form part of a broader investigation into patient safety in Gauteng.

Health ombud Professor Taole Mokoena said the investigation found a pattern of systemic abuse and negligence in Mohlamme’s care.

Her admission was deemed invalid as required, and medical processes were not followed, while allegations of sexual assault were not properly reported or investigated.

The report also found that medication was withheld and, in some instances, falsified, while she was subjected to non-compliant restraints and left without adequate monitoring.

"The Health Professions Council of South Africa, the Nursing Council, will be requested to consider the findings and initiate appropriate professional conduct enquiries on the implicated health professionals."

Mokoena said such failures point to broader issues, including understaffing, poor infrastructure and a lack of training in handling mental health patients.

In response to the findings, Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi said the government has started implementing recommendations from the health ombudsman following the deaths of two patients in the province.

The health ombud's second report had also found that a neonatal death at Netcare Femina Hospital was linked to incorrect medication, poor communication among staff and weak governance in the ICU.

Lesufi said the province accepts all recommendations and will work closely with the ombud's office to address the failures.

He said staffing capacity has already been boosted, while those implicated are facing consequences.

“The capacity under the incident happened there was only three specialising psychiatrists, we have increased that from three to eight. We’ve also put an additional 12 nurses to the total of 105 nurses that are dealing with this particular task. We have now assigned nine permanent security that are our stationed permanently.”

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