Durban: The Health Ombud has found that a series of deaths involving healthcare professionals at public health establishments in KwaZulu-Natal was not as a result of workplace bullying, victimisation, or adverse working conditions at hospitals under investigation. The investigation probed the deaths of six healthcare workers at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, Addington Hospital, Port Shepstone Hospital, Ngwelezane Hospital, Benedictine Hospital, and Vryheid Hospital. The investigation report was released by Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, during a media briefing on Wednesday.
According to South African Government News Agency, the Health Ombud found no evidence linking the deaths directly to workplace bullying, victimisation, or adverse working conditions in the hospitals under investigation. However, the investigation identified significant systemic challenges affecting healthcare professionals across all the aforementioned health establishments.
Key findings of the investigation reveal that Dr. Alulutho Mazwi, a medical intern at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital, did not die while on duty, as widely reported. Dr. Mazwi had been suffering from uncontrolled diabetes. Dr. Tumelo Kgaladi of Addington Hospital died at his residence, with the investigation finding that he had a history of mental health problems, which he had not disclosed to the authorities. Mr. Mvelo Cele, a radiographer at Port Shepstone Hospital, died while on duty, and an autopsy confirmed he died of cardiac arrest with no evidence linking his death to workplace conditions.
Dr. Siyabonga Zulu of Ngwelezane Hospital died in a motor vehicle accident while off duty, with no link between his death and his work environment. Dr. S.I. Ngidi of Benedictine Hospital died after ingesting rat poison while off duty, and the investigation found that he had been implicated in a fraudulent birth registration. Dr. Francis Idika of Vryheid Hospital died of natural causes from a ruptured aortic aneurysm, with the investigation finding no evidence to support allegations that he died by suicide due to workplace bullying or victimisation.
While no direct causal link was established between the deaths and working conditions, the investigation identified serious systemic concerns across several health establishments, including staffing shortages, frozen vacant posts, rising workloads, shortages of medical equipment and supplies, inadequate employee wellness support services, infrastructure challenges, and security concerns affecting healthcare workers.
The investigation also found that many healthcare professionals, particularly interns, experience significant pressure to avoid taking sick leave due to concerns about extending training rotations and increasing other colleagues' workloads. In some facilities, employee wellness and support services were found to be under-resourced and unable to adequately meet staff needs. The Health Ombud further noted that ongoing budget constraints within the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health have contributed to staffing shortages and resource limitations, negatively affecting both healthcare workers' morale and service delivery.
The Ombud has made several recommendations for each hospital including strengthening employee wellness programmes, improving staff support systems, addressing security concerns, enhancing oversight and accountability, and ensuring compliance with the prescribed norms and standards for healthcare establishments. The report's findings and recommendations will be referred to the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) for monitoring and implementation as per Statutes. The Health Ombud will continue to work closely with the OHSC to ensure that the recommendations translate into meaningful improvements in healthcare worker well-being, patient safety, and the quality of care.
Professor Taole Mokoena and his staff extend their condolences to the families, colleagues, and communities affected by these deaths. The investigation underscores the need to create safe, supportive, and adequately resourced working environments for healthcare professionals and to ensure that public healthcare establishments continue to deliver quality services to all healthcare users. At the briefing, Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi reiterated condolences to the affected families and staff at the six hospitals, emphasizing the immeasurable pain and loss experienced by those left behind.
