What happened to 400 psychiatric patients in Gauteng?

17 August 2016

Mystery surrounds the whereabouts of about 400 chronically ill psychiatric patients who were discharged earlier this year from Life Healthcare Esidimeni after the Gauteng Health Department cancelled its contract with them.

According to a written reply by Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu to my questions in the Gauteng Legislature, 1362 psychiatric patients were relocated from Esidimeni to three hospitals and 25 NGOs. A further 91 patients were discharged to the care of their families.

But last year, in another written reply to my questions, Mahlangu said that 1671 patients at Esidimeni needed long term care, and NGOs would also accommodate 113 patients that need medium term care but are categorized as high level functioning patients.

I am concerned that 1784 patients were supposed to be placed in hospitals and NGOs, but this has only happened for 1362 patients.

What happened to about 400 mentally ill patients who should have been placed in institutions?

The Department originally said that it would house 1193 patients at the Weskoppies, Sterkfontein, Tshwane District and Cullinan Care hospitals, as well as refurbished parts of the Transvaal Memorial Institution (TMI), Pinnar and Old Germiston Hospital. NGOs were supposed to house 591 patients.

According to Mahlangu, however, only 360 patients have been housed at Weskoppies, Sterkfontein and Cullinan, and none whatsoever at Tshwane District, TMI, Pinnar and Old Germiston Hospital. A total of 1002 patients are now in 25 NGOs, ranging from 197 patients at Tshepong to 1 patient at Hephzibhar.

This shows extremely poor planning, and there are many complaints from relatives about the unsuitability of the NGOs and lack of care for patients who sometimes don't get their medicine.

It is very distressing that vulnerable people have been treated so badly.

The Gauteng Health Department should clear up the mystery of the missing patients and tighten supervision of the NGOs that currently look after the long-term mentally ill. If a NGO is not able to offer quality care, the patients should be transferred elsewhere.

Issued by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 17 August 2016