Health Ombudsman Prof Malegapuru Makgoba says he has begun investigations into the deaths of 36 psychiatric patients who died after being transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni into the care of NGOs earlier this year. Earlier this month‚ health minister Elias Motsoaledi asked the ombudsman to investigate the deaths following a consultation between the minister and Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu. Last week‚ Makgoba announced he had constituted a team of four independent psychiatric experts and one expert in public health to assist with the investigation. Makgoba indicated last week that Mahlangu had promised him that all the requested documents would be forwarded to his office by September 24. On Wednesday‚ Makgoba said he had received the majority of documents from the Gauteng health department to begin the investigation. “I started the investigation yesterday‚” Makgoba said. The investigation will focus on quality management and care of the patients concerned‚ based on clinical records and any other information relevant to the matter. The Office of Health Standards Compliance has also constituted a team of inspectors to conduct inspections at the health establishments concerned. The purpose of the inspections is to assess the veracity of the allegations as well as to determine the capability and competence of the alleged health establishments with regards to the management and care for mental health care patients. The psychiatric patients were moved into 122 NGOs after the department cancelled its long-running contract with Life Healthcare which looked after about 2 000 patients‚ in order to cut costs...