The terrifying reality of medical malpractice is that it is often far too late for positive intervention after the event and, even if the claimants are successful in their monetary claims, the damages can never quite be rectified.

Avoidable deaths cost tax payers millions

South Africa is not alone in the fight against medical malpractice and negligence. Recent figures released in Italy indicate that nearly 6% of all their deaths can be attributed to malpractice or simple inefficiency. This means that more Italians die unnecessarily in the hands of health care professionals than to motor vehicle accidents, heart attacks and forms of cancer.

These avoidable deaths cost the Italian tax payer in the region of €10 billion every year, which effectively translates into 1% of the gross domestic profit.

Penis amputations not unheard of

Closer to home, a South African man joined the throngs of other victims worldwide who have had their penises amputated either in error or because they were not correctly diagnosed and not referred to a specialist in time.

This time the health care workers at the Bophelong Hospital in Mafikeng failed to refer the victim to an urologist and opted to lop off his manhood instead. The man successfully claimed R465 000 for the "incident".

Negligence leads to permanent brain damage

Another horror story that led to the largest medical malpractice claim in the country at the time was the story of an infant girl who, through negligence, was left permanently brain damaged after a relatively minor operation.

The anaesthetist failed to examine the two and half month old infant prior to the operation and consequently failed to detect a mild heart defect. What ensued were poor levels of oxygen during the procedure which in turn led to permanent brain damage. Her parent's laid a claim of R100-million against the George clinic and three of the doctors involved in the procedure.

Erroneous swab causes unbearable complications

A woman who went in for a routine abdomen operation is suing a Johannesburg hospital for R1.3 million. Her wounds became septic shortly after being discharged and, on further investigation, it was discovered that a medical swab had been left in her abdomen during the procedure.

Apart from suffering a nervous breakdown because of the pain associated with the error, she has had to undergo a further two operations to sort out the damages incurred by the negligence, and has since developed diabetes.

Quick medical malpractice shockers

• A man admitted to the Inkosi Albert Luthuli Hospital in Durban for a brain tumour biopsy developed gangrene in both the thumb and forefinger because nursing staff failed to monitor the drip adequately. He successfully claimed R1 million from the incumbent Health Minister, Manto Tshabalala-Msimang.






• A mother successfully claimed R78 000 from the department of health after her newborn infant was swapped with another baby following a caesarean section.






• A woman who went in for a routine scar tissue examination is claiming R510 000 from the minister because of an illegal hysterectomy performed on her in error!