The Gauteng Department of Health has dismissed claims that a patient was left permanently blind because of broken equipment at the Steve Biko Academic Hospital Eye Clinic.
In a media statement issued on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, the department said the allegations are factually incorrect and do not reflect the patient’s documented medical history. It expressed sympathy for the patient and acknowledged the emotional impact of losing one’s vision, but stressed that such matters should be communicated responsibly and based on verified clinical information.
According to the department, the patient had previously undergone multiple eye surgeries and was assessed by specialists at another hospital within the Steve Biko Academic Hospital cluster. Doctors decided to operate on the eye that had the best chance of retaining vision, while the patient was informed through a counselling process that the prognosis for the other eye was already poor and that surgery was unlikely to restore sight.
The department said it is therefore misleading to attribute the patient’s permanent vision loss solely to equipment and infrastructure challenges at the hospital. It added that the patient’s clinical records do not support claims that these challenges significantly contributed to the blindness.
Although the department acknowledged procurement delays relating to infrastructure and medical equipment, it said the process to acquire the necessary equipment is at an advanced stage and that delivery is expected soon to improve service delivery.
The department also raised concern about what it described as the careless handling of confidential and complex patient matters without first establishing the full facts. It urged the public and media to communicate health related issues accurately to avoid causing unnecessary anxiety among patients awaiting treatment.
The Gauteng Department of Health said it remains committed to restoring affected services, maintaining essential medical equipment and infrastructure, and ensuring that patients requiring specialist ophthalmic care continue to be assessed and referred to facilities that can provide the necessary treatment. It also reaffirmed its commitment to treating patients with dignity and providing communities with accurate information about healthcare services.
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