Johannesburg - Gauteng Health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku will engage the judiciary to introduce a legislative framework that compels victims of medical negligence from the provincial healthcare system to be treated at public hospitals. Currently, Gauteng Health is facing a massive R22 billion in lawsuits brought about by patients who had been incorrectly treated or had had botched operations at public hospitals.
“We know as a matter of fact that private rates in most instances are overrated and unreasonable. The Competition Commission declared that these costs should come down because it's quite unfair to take a bit from the public purse to pay private hospitals and private doctors." “Currently we are working on Charlotte Maxeke, Steve Biko, Chris Hani Baragwanath and George Mukhari hospitals to be the centres where patients that need future treatment need to go to,” said Masuku.