Free State Health lose three lawsuits in December

Staff reporter

Bloemfontein – The Department of Health in Free has suffered at least three loses in the courts in one month, December 2023.

This follows cases linked to negligence by health officials and, it’s an egg on MEC Mathabo Leeto’s face after she publicly celebrated when the Eastern Cape High Court dismissed an application by a parent who alleged their child had cerebral palsy due to health officials.

In her maiden budget vote, Leeto stated:

“We take the courage of the latest Eastern Cape high court ruling on the future medical care costs.”

Hardly eight months later, her department was hit by a judgment of paying a 100% claim by a plaintiff after her child had cereal palsy in Manapo Hospital on 19 October 2012.

Leeto was again hit with R5 million order on different claims as follows to the first plaintiff:

General Damages: R 550 000.00
Loss of income: R3 878362.90
Future Medical Expenses: R690 170.00

To the second plaintiff:
General Damages: R300 000.00
Future Medical Expenses: R90 870.00

This is after a couple lost their baby a mere two days after his birth due to the negligence of Health officials. The plaintiff was admitted to Pelonimi Hospital on the 2nd of August 2013. The baby suffered brain damage and subsequently died.

The plaintiff claimed in court she bleed for three years and attempted to commit suicide as a result of their loss.

In another case, a plaintiff was awarded R580 000 against the department after the department’s employees failed to treat him after he suffered injuries in a car accident on the 15th of December 2010.

Free State Health has taken a decision not to reply to our inquiries, this they said on record.

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