Medical Negligence in South Africa
Medical Negligence in South Africa Unacceptably High
In a country with an overextended and under-resourced health care system, levels of medical negligence in South Africa are still unacceptably high, and appear to be worsening daily. With a shortage of properly trained and qualified health care professionals, insufficient health care coverage of densely populated and especially rural areas, and outdated or faulty equipment, health care horror stories have become alarmingly common.
Medical negligence in South Africa not only in public hospitals:
Certainly one expects medical negligence in South Africa when it comes to over populated or very remote, rural areas, but one does not expect high levels of negligence in privately funded hospitals, clinics, theatres and nursing homes. Unfortunately, whilst it may not be as obviously rampant in these institutions, there are still an alarming number of cases of medical negligence in South Africa when it comes to private health care.
Types of medical negligence in South Africa:
Medical negligence in South Africa is rife in the whole spectrum of health care, from the diagnosis of a condition or illness, right through to the treatment and post palliative care meted out to patients. In fact, a seemingly innocuous incorrect diagnosis of a condition can lead to a devastating domino effect, with the incorrect treatment being given or procedures being carried out, leading to a host of iatrogenic effects – which are effectively adverse results and conditions directly associated to ineffectual health care. In other words, instead of helping or healing you, your doctor or hospital may actually harm you.
Adele van der Walt Attorneys Incorporated is a medico-legal firm specialising in all kinds of medical negligence in South Africa. We have successfully represented clients claiming for recompense for a wide range of medical negligence issues and we are on hand to assist you should you feel you have a claim. Contact us today for more information on medical negligence in South Africa and the options of recourse available to you.
For more information on this subject, please give us a call at 012 460 3668 (SA) or e-mail us at clare@avdw.co.za
