The Gauteng health department’s failure to pay R6.2m to a victim of medical negligence has resulted in office furniture being attached by the sheriff. The province’s health budget grew from R37.6bn in 2016, to R40.2bn in 2017, but the department does not budget for negligence costs. In December 2009, a minor suffered a brain injury, which resulted in permanent severe damage and manifested in cerebral palsy, as a result of monitoring, management, post-natal care and treatment by doctors and staff at Pholosong Hospital. On March 8 2017, the High Court in Pretoria ruled that the department pay R6.2m within 30 days to O Joubert Attorneys on behalf of the plaintiff. "Should payment not be effected within the aforesaid period, the plaintiff will be entitled to recover interest on the taxed or agreed costs at the rate of 10.5% calculated from and including the day after the date of settlement of the costs or of taxation, up to and including the date of final payment," court documents said....

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