IFP cites the ongoing neglect of mental patients

A mentally ill patient was found to have burn wounds after he was locked alone in a ward at Wentworth Hospital in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) said yesterday.

IFP KZN provincial spokesperson on health Ncamisile Nkwanyana said disciplinary action should be taken against any medical staffer who neglected mentally ill patients in healthcare facilities.

“Neglect of mentally ill patients is a serious concern. Misconduct, incompetence and negligence have no place in our healthcare system, and any person found guilty of such conduct must face drastic consequences.

“The nurses must be suspended, their actions must be investigated and if found guilty they must be fired. Lack of empathy has no place in our healthcare system,” said Nkwanyana.

She said the professional healthcare sector was collapsing, especially in public facilities, where professionalism seemed to be lacking. There was a need to step up the fight against shoddy treatment of patients and to call for nurses to do their jobs effectively, she said. “The IFP believes that mental healthcare management and services must be made a priority, mental health screening must also be integrated with care and management at primary care level.

“Managers need to be trained in mental health management, care and treatment to ensure mental healthcare is treated as an essential part of healthcare delivery.”

She added that no person should suffer in silence and all those in need should be supported. “I call on all people to support citizens suffering from mental illness and to raise awareness of mental health conditions.”

KZN department of health spokesperson Ncumisa Mafunda said the patient was receiving medical attention. – ANA

Neglect of mentally ill patients is a serious concern