Gauteng department of health denies allegations about Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital’s cardiology department
With an alleged 20% mortality rate in the cardiothoracic department at Charlotte Maxeke Academic Johannesburg Hospital, DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom is demanding answers and an independent investigation, while the Gauteng department of health is refuting the claim altogether.
The Gauteng department of health is vehemently denying the allegations made by DA Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom on March 31, regarding the cardiac services offered at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital.
Bloom held a media briefing outside the academic hospital and called for an urgent independent commission of inquiry to look into the heart patients that are allegedly dying due to poor surgical outcomes at the cardiothoracic department.
The MEC explained that he uncovered the alleged disaster after receiving a deliberately misleading response to his questions in the Gauteng legislature regarding the heart surgery mortality rates at the hospital. “The official response claims a 72.5% decrease in mortality between 2023 and 2025, asserting a substantial and sustained improvement in patient outcomes, and concluded there was no evidence of systemic failure, or elevated risk that would necessitate a formal commission of inquiry.”
According to the Gauteng legislature’s response, which the publication is in possession of, the figures are a 38.8% reduction in mortality from 2023 to 2024, and a further 55.1% reduction from 2024 to 2025. This demonstrates a substantial and sustained improvement in patient outcomes within the department.
Bloom disagreed, saying his assessment was that there is an alleged disgraceful cover-up by both the Johannesburg academic hospital and Wits Medical School. “According to my sources, the actual heart surgery mortality rate at Charlotte Maxeke is approximately 20%, which is a catastrophic failure. Overseas, mortality rates exceeding 2–3% would immediately trigger a formal inquiry.”
The department of health’s media release challenged the MEC’s above statement. “Consequently, clinical outcomes in cardiothoracic surgery, including mortality rates, are evaluated using internationally accepted methods that consider patient complexity, comorbidities, and procedural risk.” It added that any interpretation of data that omits these factors is fundamentally flawed and risks misleading the public.
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The media release further said that the further claim of an approximate 20% mortality rate is not backed by verified risk-adjusted clinical data, and should not be viewed in isolation. “For accuracy and integrity, any statements about clinical performance must be supported by verifiable data, including transparent methodology, proper benchmarking, and risk-adjusted analysis. Contrary to the assertions, there is no evidence to support claims of a lack of transparency or a ‘cover-up’.”
The media release highlighted that clinical performance at Charlotte Maxeke Hospital is subject to ongoing review through established governance, audit, and oversight processes created to ensure accountability and patient safety. “The department recognises that human resource limitations have affected service delivery. Consequently, surgical volumes are adjusted to prevent staff fatigue and reduce risks to patient safety and clinical outcomes. Nonetheless, staffing issues do not suggest systemic failure, as they are managed within standard professional procedures.”
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