Gauteng health dept ordered to pay R7.5m

Johannesburg - The Gauteng health department has paid out R7.6m for medical negligence, it said on Tuesday.

In 2009 a child was born with permanent brain damage at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, spokesperson Prince Hamnca said in a statement.

"Yesterday, the department processed a payment in excess of R7.6m which includes interest after the High Court in Pretoria found the department liable for the damages claimed."

Hamnca said the department was training nurses in midwifery, advanced midwifery and neonatology in order to avoid claims of this nature.

In the 2012 to 2013 financial year, 188 doctors and 203 nurses were trained to manage obstetric emergencies, he said.