IN CONVERSATION WITH JACK BLOOM, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health
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The Cardiothoracic Department at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg
Hospital is facing a serious crisis, with reports of high surgical
mortality rates and systemic mismanagement. Concerns have been
raised that heart patients are dying due to poor surgical outcomes,
prompting the resignation of a senior surgeon who cited persistently
poor outcomes, intimidation of junior doctors, a compromised training
environment, and a lack of accountability.
The Gauteng Department of Health has reported a 72.5% decrease in
heart surgery mortality between 2023 and 2025, claiming substantial
improvement in patient outcomes. However, these claims are
disputed, with sources indicating that the actual mortality rate may be
as high as 20%, far above international norms where rates above
2–3% would trigger an immediate inquiry.
Additional issues include a sharp decline in the number of surgeries
performed from several hundred annually to around 200 poor
infrastructure for heart patients, and limited opportunities for registrar
training. Attempts to collaborate with the private sector to address
training gaps have reportedly been declined.
Calls for an independent commission of inquiry have been ignored.
Registrars previously appealed to the Dean of the Wits Faculty of
Health Sciences over serious grievances, including leadership failures
and misconduct by the department head, Dr Tumi Taunyane, but
these appeals were not acted upon.
The Democratic Alliance has referred the matter to the Health Ombud,
Professor Taole Mokoena, and continues to advocate for
transparency, proper leadership, adequate resources, and urgent
intervention to restore Charlotte Maxeke’s cardiothoracic services to a
centre of excellence.
Hospital is facing a serious crisis, with reports of high surgical
mortality rates and systemic mismanagement. Concerns have been
raised that heart patients are dying due to poor surgical outcomes,
prompting the resignation of a senior surgeon who cited persistently
poor outcomes, intimidation of junior doctors, a compromised training
environment, and a lack of accountability.
The Gauteng Department of Health has reported a 72.5% decrease in
heart surgery mortality between 2023 and 2025, claiming substantial
improvement in patient outcomes. However, these claims are
disputed, with sources indicating that the actual mortality rate may be
as high as 20%, far above international norms where rates above
2–3% would trigger an immediate inquiry.
Additional issues include a sharp decline in the number of surgeries
performed from several hundred annually to around 200 poor
infrastructure for heart patients, and limited opportunities for registrar
training. Attempts to collaborate with the private sector to address
training gaps have reportedly been declined.
Calls for an independent commission of inquiry have been ignored.
Registrars previously appealed to the Dean of the Wits Faculty of
Health Sciences over serious grievances, including leadership failures
and misconduct by the department head, Dr Tumi Taunyane, but
these appeals were not acted upon.
The Democratic Alliance has referred the matter to the Health Ombud,
Professor Taole Mokoena, and continues to advocate for
transparency, proper leadership, adequate resources, and urgent
intervention to restore Charlotte Maxeke’s cardiothoracic services to a
centre of excellence.
