Gauteng Health Refutes Allegations of Multiple Bodies at Helen Joseph Hospital

The Gauteng Department of Health has firmly denied recent claims that multiple bodies remain unprocessed at Helen Joseph Hospital due to a shortage of printer cartridges. These allegations circulated widely in late June 2025. They suggested that families had been unable to claim their deceased loved ones for burial because of administrative failures.

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Clarifying the Situation at Helen Joseph Hospital

Contrary to reports from political opposition parties and some media, the Department of Health confirmed that only one body is currently at the hospital’s mortuary. This patient was declared dead on arrival on 25 June 2025, and the family has been located and properly notified. The body is scheduled to be transferred to the forensic team for necessary processing. This transfer will allow family collection.

Provincial health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba described the claims as misleading and sensationalised. He emphasized that hospital management had swiftly implemented contingency measures to address any operational challenges.

Printing Service Disruption and Response

Between 17 and 23 June 2025, Helen Joseph Hospital experienced a temporary disruption in printing services. This issue affected the processing of mortuary documents, including death certificates and postmortem reports. The delay was due to delayed payments to two service providers responsible for supplying printer cartridges.

Despite this, the hospital activated contingency plans which enabled the processing and assistance of five families by 24 June 2025. The Department of Health’s finance team is actively resolving the payment delays to prevent future disruptions.

Political and Public Reactions

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Gauteng had expressed outrage over the alleged backlog. They accused the provincial health department of administrative incompetence and demanded immediate intervention. The DA claimed that families had been unable to bury their loved ones for over 13 days, causing unnecessary pain and trauma.

However, Gauteng Health officials maintain that these claims do not reflect the actual situation on the ground. They argue that the department continues to function and provide services despite challenges. Moreover, they believe the allegations unfairly damage the reputation of the health system.

Ongoing Challenges and Commitment to Service

While denying the allegations of multiple unclaimed bodies, the Department acknowledges operational challenges at Helen Joseph Hospital. These include resource constraints and service delivery pressures. Such issues are part of broader systemic challenges facing Gauteng’s public health sector.

The department reiterates its commitment to ensuring dignified treatment of both patients and the deceased. It continues to prioritise resolving administrative bottlenecks and improving service delivery at all facilities.

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Factual Reporting

The Gauteng Department of Health’s response clarifies that there is no backlog of unprocessed bodies at Helen Joseph Hospital as claimed. The temporary printing disruption was managed effectively with contingency measures. At present, only one body remains at the mortuary, with family notified.

This situation highlights the importance of accurate reporting and measured responses in sensitive matters involving public health and community trust. The department urges the public and media to rely on verified information to avoid unnecessary alarm.