A Senior professional with relevant academic and professional experience would be appropriate to investigate the death of the late intern doctor.
This was said by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi after the death of Alulutho Mazwi (25) from the Eastern Cape.
Mazwi, who was recently diagnosed with diabetes, died on Monday, 12 May while performing his duties at the Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital in Umlazi, south of Durban.
Before his death, he had allegedly collapsed twice.
On Monday, he allegedly asked his supervisor for sick leave as he was still not feeling well, but the supervisor insisted that he come to work. While working, Dr Mazwi died at the hospital.
Health Ministry spokesman Sello Lediga said the Motsoaledi has not yet received any official report from the province.
However, he contacted KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane before his departure to the World Health Assembly in Geneva on Friday, 16 May.
Lediga said the minister believes considering the severity of this matter, a senior professional with relevant academic and professional experience should urgently investigate the matter.
“In his opinion, the Health Ombud fits the mould of such a medical professional, himself having been a medical intern, medical registrar, medical consultant and a professor who headed a department. Therefore, he has deep understanding of how the system works,” he said.
Motsoaledi is also empowered to request any information he needs.
Lediga said the minister extended his heartfelt condolences to Dr Mazwi’s family and colleagues and hopes the investigation will get to the bottom of this matter.
Meanwhile, KZN Health MEC Nomagugu Simelane confirmed that the supervisor at Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital has been placed under precautionary suspension.
“We didn’t take this matter lightly. This is a matter that we are dealing with and, as we speak, the doctor who was the supervisor has been put on precautionary suspension so that we can thoroughly investigate this matter,” she said.
Simelane urged interns not to keep quiet if they face abuse.
“Don’t complain among yourselves. Rather, escalate the matter,” she said.
