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The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Ms Faith Muthambi, has welcomed the release of the Health Ombud and Public Service Commission Joint Investigation Report into the deaths of healthcare professionals in KwaZulu-Natal public hospitals.
 
Ms Muthambi described the report as an important step towards establishing the facts, restoring public confidence and addressing the systemic challenges confronting healthcare workers in the public healthcare system.
 
The report investigated the deaths of six healthcare professionals in public hospitals across KwaZulu-Natal and examined whether there was a causal link between these tragic incidents and the prevailing working conditions in the affected institutions.
 
Ms Muthambi said the committee notes the report’s findings that, while no direct causal link could be established between the deaths and workplace conditions in the cases investigated, the report nevertheless exposes deeply concerning challenges that affect healthcare professionals and the quality of healthcare services.
 
“The committee welcomes the thorough and independent investigation undertaken by the Health Ombud and the Public Service Commission. While the findings provide much needed clarity on the circumstances surrounding these tragic deaths, they also shine a spotlight on the difficult realities faced daily by healthcare workers in our public health facilities,” said Ms Muthambi.
 
“Behind every name in this report is a family that continues to carry the pain of losing a loved one. As the committee, we honour the memory and service of these healthcare professionals who dedicated their lives to caring for others. We extend our deepest condolences to their families and colleagues, and we trust that this report will provide some measure of clarity and closure,” she said.
 
The committee notes with grave concern the report’s findings on widespread staff shortages, excessive workloads, resource constraints, inadequate employee wellness support systems, shortages of critical equipment and infrastructure challenges across several health facilities. Of concern are findings relating to the freezing of vacant posts, overworked medical personnel, mental health pressures, and the reluctance of some healthcare professionals, particularly interns, to take sick leave because of concerns about training requirements and workload pressures.
 
Ms Muthambi expressed a view that the report confirms what healthcare professionals have consistently raised during oversight engagements with the committee that staff shortages, resource limitations and workplace pressures are placing enormous strain on those who keep our health system functioning.
 
The Chairperson further welcomed the report’s recommendations aimed at strengthening employee assistance programmes which will improve grievance management mechanisms, addressing bullying and unprofessional conduct, enhancing security and safety measures, and ensuring adequate budget allocations to support healthcare institutions.
 
Ms Muthambi said the committee will closely monitor the implementation of the report’s recommendations by the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health and the national Department of Health through its oversight role.
 
“The wellbeing of healthcare workers is inseparable from the quality of healthcare received by our people. A health system cannot succeed if those entrusted with caring for patients are themselves unsupported, overburdened or working under increasingly difficult conditions.”

Issued By The Parliamentary Communication Services On Behalf Of The Chairperson Of The Portfolio Committee On Health, Ms Faith Muthambi.