Government · Complaint & ombud
Medical Ombudsman South Africa Contact Details
All complaint & ombud routesCheck this is the right body
South Africa’s medical ombudsman, the Health Ombud, takes complaints on the toll-free line 080 911 6472 and at complaints@healthombud.org.za. The Health Ombud is the statutory ombud for complaints about the quality of care at public and private health establishments, set up under the National Health Amendment Act of 2013 and housed in the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC).
It is not the medical aid regulator. Complaints against medical schemes go to the Council for Medical Schemes, not the Health Ombud.
Health Ombud contact details at a glance
| Route | Details |
|---|---|
| Complaints Call Centre (toll-free) | 080 911 6472 |
| Complaints email | complaints@healthombud.org.za |
| Complaints WhatsApp line | 060 012 3456 |
| SMS line | 48090 |
| Online complaint form (anonymous option) | healthombud.org.za/submit-a-complaint/ |
| General enquiries | 012 942 7700 |
| General enquiries email | communication@healthombud.org.za |
| OHSC complaints email (parent body) | complaints@ohsc.org.za |
| Fraud and Ethics Hotline (toll-free) | 080 000 3231 |
| Hours (site header) | 08:00 to 17:00 |
| Physical address | Eco-Glades Office Park 1, Block B, 70 Ribbon Grass Street, Highveld, Centurion, Pretoria |
| Postal address | Private Bag X21, Arcadia, 0007 |
Official contact channels
To lodge a complaint, call the toll-free Complaints Call Centre on 080 911 6472, send a WhatsApp to 060 012 3456, SMS 48090, or email complaints@healthombud.org.za. You can also complete the online complaint form on healthombud.org.za, which allows anonymous complaints. The OHSC’s own contact page lists the same complaints line and the mailbox complaints@ohsc.org.za.
For questions that are not complaints, call 012 942 7700 or email communication@healthombud.org.za.
What the Health Ombud handles
The Health Ombud deals with complaints about inappropriate medical treatment, unprofessional conduct by healthcare staff, unsafe conditions at facilities, and poor-quality care at public and private hospitals and clinics. Anyone may complain, including on behalf of a relative or a minor.
Complaints about a medical aid are outside this office. Those go to the Council for Medical Schemes.
Complaints and escalation process
- Complain to the health facility first, verbally or in writing.
- If the facility does not resolve it, lodge your complaint with the Health Ombud within two years of the incident, on 080 911 6472, at complaints@healthombud.org.za or on the online form.
- On the form, answer “Have you lodged the complaint with the facility?” and give the facility’s complaint reference number if you have one.
Medium-risk complaints go to the Complaints Assessment Unit, and high and extreme-risk complaints go to the Complaints Investigation Unit. How long an investigation takes depends on how serious and complex it is. Complainants get regular progress updates and a report with the findings.
To report fraud or unethical conduct, use the toll-free Fraud and Ethics Hotline on 080 000 3231.
Address and operating information
The office is at Eco-Glades Office Park 1, Block B, 70 Ribbon Grass Street, Highveld, Centurion, Pretoria. Post goes to Private Bag X21, Arcadia, 0007. The website header gives hours of 08:00 to 17:00.
For other public bodies, browse the government hub or the government directory M listings.
FAQs
What is the medical ombudsman contact number in South Africa?
The Health Ombud’s toll-free complaints line is 080 911 6472. General enquiries go to 012 942 7700.
What is the Health Ombud email address?
Email complaints@healthombud.org.za for complaints and communication@healthombud.org.za for general enquiries.
Does the Health Ombud have a WhatsApp number?
Yes. The complaints WhatsApp line is 060 012 3456. You can also SMS 48090.
Can the medical ombudsman help with my medical aid?
No. The Health Ombud handles the quality of care at health facilities. Medical scheme complaints go to the Council for Medical Schemes.
How long do I have to complain to the Health Ombud?
Complain to the facility first, then lodge with the Health Ombud within two years of the incident.
Sources
- Health Ombud, Contact us: healthombud.org.za/contact-us/, read 2026-09-25
- Health Ombud, Submit a complaint: healthombud.org.za/submit-a-complaint/, read 2026-09-25
- Health Ombud, homepage: healthombud.org.za/, read 2026-09-25
- Office of Health Standards Compliance, Contact us: ohsc.org.za/contact-us-2/, read 2026-09-25