On Sunday Gauteng health MEC Dr Bandile Masuku visited the Marais family at their home in Eersterust, Pretoria to reach a settlement regarding an incident that took place in May last year at Mamelodi Hospital. A video that showed 76-year-old Martha Marais tied to a bench at Mamelodi Regional Hospital, and struggling on the floor, went viral on social media and prompted an investigation.
During the meeting Masuku expressed his gratitude to Martha Marais and her family and the South African Human Rights Commision for their patience and cooperation throughout the process. The mediation process was facilitated by retired Judge Neels Classen of the South African Medico Legal Association (SAMLA).
The terms of settlement, however, cannot be discloseddue to the confidentiality requirements of the mediation. “Both parties believe that the settlement is comprehensive and fair enough as it includes redress and improvements of our protocols at facility level”, said Masuku.
Masuku acknowledged the unfortunate situation and mentioned that the health department was testing a mediation route regarding the settlement of medico-legal claims. “We reiterate our unwaivering commitment to human dignity and the improvement of quality healthcare. In this term, one of our strategic priorities is to improve patients’ experience of care”, concluded Masuku.
The minister ended his speech by extending the department’s apologies, once again, to the Marais family for the trauma they had suffered.
