Mental hospitals in crisis
The Elizabeth Donkin Hospital in Port Elizabeth has only three psychiatrists, when it should have 12.
The psychiatric and rehabilitation facility has only one security guard accompanying 30 patients to and from the hospital’s dining hall.
The patients also do not have enough clothing.
These were some of the findings after a delegation from the Bhisho legislature visited mental health facilities in the province in May.
The report instructs Eastern Cape premier Phumulo Masualle to assist struggling mental health hospitals in the province to ensure that a tragedy similar to the Life Esidimeni disaster does not occur.
The special programmes delegation also visited mental health units at the Queen Madzikane Hospital in Umzimkhulu, St Barnabas Hospital in Libode, Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital in Mthatha, Komani Hospital, Tower Hospital in Fort Beaufort, Fort England in Makhanda (Grahamstown), and the Life Esidimeni Hospital in Kirkwood.
Masualle’s spokesperson, Sizwe Kupelo, said on Thursday: “The premier would need to study the recommendations before he takes any action.”
The report, meanwhile, paints a bleak picture of the shocking state of mental health facilities across the province.
It also highlights the absence of and desperate need for more psychiatric facilities in some districts.
Among the findings was that the St Barnabas Hospital has not had a functional mental health unit since 2013 while the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital has a shortage of beds.
Meanwhile, the uncertainty around the contract between the health department and Life Esidimeni in Kirkwood was also highlighted. The contract is due to expire in October.
With regard to the Elizabeth Donkin Hospital, the committee found that the hospital had no signs indicating that it was a mental health hospital, and that the building was old.
There was also a shortage of clothing for patients and the hospital was situated far from patient’s families.
“The hospital is not able to admit more patients from the regions because of space.
“Most patients are from the townships and it is difficult for their families to visit them as the hospital is situated in the suburban areas.”
The report says further: “The unequal spread of mental health units across [the province] is a concern as districts such as Alfred Nzo and Joe Gqabi have no dedicated mental health units.
“There is a disjuncture between the department of health head office and the hospitals’ needs.
“The growing mental health problem cannot be addressed by the department of health individually; an integrated approach is needed.”
The committee recommended that the premier work with the relevant departments to solve the issues.
The track record of psychiatrist Dr Kiran Sukeri‚ who falsely claimed dozens of ill-treated patients had died at the Tower Psychiatric Hospital in Fort Beaufort‚ is less than desirable‚ Health Ombudsman Prof Malegapuru Makgoba said.
The ombud said that during his time at the hospital, Sukeri had discharged patients without following protocols‚ such as ensuring their families were ready to receive them.
“Dr Sukeri’s 11 discharged users were not coping well in the community‚ some with relapses and readmissions.
“One was reported missing‚ two had passed away‚ one had committed suicide and one committed murder and has since been arrested‚” he said.
Sukeri‚ who claimed to the media that about 90 patients had died, had told Makgoba he had miscalculated the death statistics‚ labelling this as a “serious mistake”. Sukeri had claimed patients were not fed properly and did not have proper clothing.
All these allegations were declared to be false by Makgoba, who said the only thing that patients had complained about was the portions of food they received.