36 Transferred psychiatric patients have died in Gauteng

13 September 2016

A total of 36 psychiatric patients that were transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni earlier this year have died while in the care of the NGOs in which they were placed by the Gauteng Health Department.

This was disclosed today by Gauteng Health MEC in an oral reply to my questions in the Legislature.

The psychiatric patients were moved into 122 NGOs after the department cancelled its long-running contract with Life Healthcare which looked after about 2000 patients.

I am horrified that so many patients have died from undisclosed causes after being transferred to NGOs, many of which relatives have said are unsuitable.

I am aware that eight patients died at the Previous Angels NGO and some others died at Takalani and the Cullinan Centre. 

Mahlangu said that the patients were transferred without clinical files that detailed their medical history, and doctors were sent to the NGOs to examine the medical needs of the patients.

She said that investigation was continuing into the cause of the deaths.

I challenged the MEC to apologize for the poor manner in which the transfers to NGOs were done, and she said that the department had apologized where mistakes had been made.

There needs to be accountability for the deaths of so many patients. The department should ascertain the cause of death in all cases and take stern action where there is proven negligence.

Statement issued by Jack Bloom MPL, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, 14 September 2016