Gauteng health head suspended

DEATHS: DAMNING HEALTH OMBUDSMAN’S REPORT

Director for mental health in the province served with notice to suspend her.

The head of the Gauteng department of health has been suspended in the wake of recommendations by health ombudsman Malegapuru Makgoba following the death of 94 psychiatric patients at non-government organisations (NGOs).

Head of department Dr Barney Selebalo was suspended with immediate effect, while director for mental health has been served with a notice to suspend her and has two days to state why she should not be suspended, the provincial government said on Wednesday.

“The suspension and notice of intention to suspend have been effected in line with recommendation two and three of the report released by the health ombudsman following the investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of mentally ill patients in Gauteng.”

Current CEO of Steve Biko Academic Hospital, Dr Ernest Kenoshi, has been appointed as acting head of department.

Meanwhile, a task team consisting of senior officials, specialists in mental health, civil society organisations and family representatives were continuing with their work to inspect the various NGOs that still have patients who were transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni, a province spokesperson said.

So far, 20 NGOs have been visited and the process would be concluded today.

“The team is also working towards identifying institutions that are well equipped to care for the mentally ill patients in compliance with the Mental Health Care Act (2002).

“During the inspection, the members of the task team also examined some of the patients.

“Family members are constantly engaged in these developments and have representatives on the advisory teams,” the provincial government said.

The recently released health ombudsman’s report said as many as 94 mentally ill patients who were transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni to unlicensed care centres died of causes that included starvation and neglect.

Following the release of the damning report into the deaths of psychiatric patients who died after they were transferred from provincial government contractor Life Esidimeni Centre to 27 NGOs around the province, former health MEC Qedani Mahlangu resigned.

In contrast to a figure of 36 fatalities given by Mahlangu in the provincial legislature last year, at least 94 psychiatric patients out of 1 300 had died between March and December 2016. – ANA – Citizen reporter

This will open the way for new top-level appointments that will hopefully be more professional and ethical.

Jack Bloom DA Gauteng shadow MEC for health