IN CONVERSATION WITH JACK BLOOM, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health

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. Instagram · Twitter