Health Ombud clears hospital in Dr Alulutho Mazwi death probe
The Health Ombud found no link between KwaZulu-Natal medical professionals' deaths and workplace bullying but identified major healthcare system challenges.
The Health Ombud says an investigation into the deaths of intern Dr Alulutho Mazwi and five other KZN medical professionals has found no evidence linking the incidents to workplace bullying, victimisation, or adverse working conditions at public hospitals.
"This is an important finding because much of the public discourse pointed to workplace factors that directly cause these deaths,” Professor Taole Mokoena said during the release of the findings of the joint probe on Wednesday.
Health Minister Aaron Motsoaledi ordered the independent investigation after the death of 25-year-old Mazwi, who was based at Prince Mshiyeni Hospital in Umlazi.
It was alleged at the time that Dr Mazwi collapsed during a weekend shift at the hospital in May last year, after a supervisor instructed him to continue working despite reporting that he was ill.
Speaking at the media briefing in Pretoria, Professor Mokoena addressed those claims, saying they found that Dr Mazwi became ill while at his hospital residence and was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead.
" The most likely cause of his death is pulmonary embolism from deep vein thrombosis. Importantly, the investigation established that the social media messages alleging that he had informed his superior that he was unwell but was instructed to report to duty regardless were a fabrication. The investigation found that Dr Mazwi was known to have uncontrolled diabetes."
Mokoena also cleared allegations surrounding the deaths of Dr Tumelo Kgaladi from Addington Hospital, Mvelo Cele from Port Shepstone Hospital, Siyabonga Zulu from Ngwelezane Hospital, Dr Ngidi from Benedictine Hospital and Dr Idika from Vryheid Hospital.
He said the findings did not mean that the health system was free of serious challenges.
The investigation uncovered significant systemic concerns affecting healthcare professionals.
" Ongoing staff shortages, frozen vacant posts, excessive workloads, resource constraints, shortages of medical equipment and supplies, infrastructure in disrepair, inadequate employee wellness support [and] security concerns,” Mokoena said.
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