Dr Volker Hitzeroth, Medicolegal Consultant, and Dr Tony Behrman, Medical Business Consultant, from Medical Protection, analyse our most recent wellbeing survey

The practice of load-shedding may have been introduced in South Africa 15 years ago, but it continues to create serious challenges for the medical profession. A recent Medical Protection survey of more than 660 South African doctors found that 86% believe load-shedding poses a threat to patient safety.

Those who took part in the survey reported concerns about delayed tests, surgeries and prescriptions, unreliable systems, machinery and phones lines, and even treating patients in the darkness when back-up power fails.

One doctor also told us of the “perpetual anxiety” that load-shedding created when they treat their patients. Another described how they were “always scared” that the medical machinery would fail them due to load-shedding.

Financial implications

In addition to the threat to patient safety, 63% of respondents also said load-shedding is having serious financial implications at their place of work.

Unlike doctors in private hospitals, few private stand-alone doctors can afford generators, which in any event have their own hazards and are extremely noisy, and most use inverters.

A 6 KV inverter, however, costs more than R60,000 to power a private standalone surgery today.

Without inverters, when power resumes there is often a surge that can cause sensitive pieces of equipment to burn out or become damaged beyond repair. Adding to the concern is the fact many insurance companies are now excluding power surge induced damage from their policies.

Some electrical substations, meanwhile, have caught alight, leaving entire neighbourhoods without power for days. This can then create localised health issues through problems with food degradation and water purification, which doctors ultimately have to treat.

It also results in vulnerability to patients, their families, doctors and staff as regular power interruptions damage the electronic systems supplying power to computers, alarms and panic buttons as well as various access control systems, lifts and escalators.

The impact on wellbeing

These challenges are clearly taking their toll on the South African medical profession, with three-quarters (75%) saying that load-shedding is impacting on their mental wellbeing.

Meanwhile, of the doctors who are considering leaving South Africa to practice in another country, nine in ten (90%) cited load-shedding as an influence for their decision.

Our survey found that 80% believe the government could do more to prevent all healthcare facilities from being impacted by load-shedding.

Power outages are challenging enough for any South African business or household, but for healthcare practitioners the challenges are compounded.

The effect of not being able to provide safe patient care on a doctor’s mental wellbeing cannot be overstated. When patient safety is at risk, doctors also feel vulnerable to complaints, regulatory investigations, claims in clinical negligence and even criminal charges.

This pressure, in addition to the financial burden placed on healthcare facilities to function sufficiently during power outages is clearly taking its toll and may be tipping the balance for those who are already struggling to cope due to many other challenges doctors face daily.

When mental wellbeing is poor, it is worrying for the individual practitioner, but can also jeopardise patient care.

With load-shedding forecast to continue well into 2024 (and possibly beyond) it is apparent that more needs to be done to enable healthcare practitioners to focus on treating patients without worrying about the safety, medicolegal and financial implications of load-shedding.   

At Medical Protection our focus remains on advising our members on steps which may help to prevent foreseeable risks and problems due to load-shedding.

We also provide a 24/7 independent counselling service as a benefit of membership for those who need mental wellbeing support.