Question NW2679 to the Minister of Health
10 January 2017 - NW2679
Alberts, Mr ADW to ask the Minister of Health
(1)(a) How many persons in each year since 2009 died due to negligence by medical and other personnel of state hospitals, (b) in which hospital did each death from such negligence occur and (c)(i) which form of negligence resulted in the deaths and (ii) how many deaths resulted from such negligence; (2) which measures have been put in place or will be put in place to eliminate such deaths; (3) (a)(i) how many and (ii) what type of cases of negligence have been reported to the health ombud since it came into existence, (b) how many of the different type of charges were resolved and resolved in total and (c) how does the (i) national mortality rate since 2009 and (ii) number of deaths that have occurred nationally and were reported to the health ombud, compare to internationally accepted standards as prescribed by the World Health Organisation and/or other legitimate health organisations?
Reply:
(1) (a) Honourable Member, the question of whether a person died from negligence by medical and other personnel in a hospital, whether state or private, is not a medical diagnosis. It is a conclusion that can only be reached as a result of a court hearing or a hearing by the various statutory bodies like the Health Professions Council, the Nursing Council, the Pharmacy Council or the Allied Health Professions Council.
Hence we will have to peruse court records with the Department of Justice to clinch such information.
We will also have to peruse the rulings of the various statutory councils.
We will then be in a position to provide you with figures.
(b) and (c) The information so clinched as stated above will answer these two questions. Hence we will have to wait for that information first.
(2) Every hospital, clinic, health facility and health worker use special protocols and practices to avoid death as much as possible.
(3) The Health Ombuds, since starting work six months ago, has not yet reported on any case. This week the Office announced that it will issue the first report on the 18th of January 2017. Honourable Member has to be patient to wait for that.
END.