The Democratic Alliance’s Jack Bloom said on Tuesday that he welcomes “the news that the Health Ombudsman's report into the deaths of psychiatric patients in Gauteng will be released next Wednesday”.
It was his questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature in September last year that revealed that “36 patients had died in NGOs where they had been transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni after her department cancelled its contract with this company”‚ Bloom said.
“It has subsequently been confirmed that more patients have died‚ possibly as many as 60 in total‚” he added.
It was September’s revelations by Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu that led to Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi ordering the ombudsman’s probe.
“I have repeatedly called on Mahlangu to resign or be fired by Premier David Makhura as it is clear that the transfer of patients was poorly handled. She was also warned that deaths could result because certain NGOs were not suitable to treat them‚” Bloom said.
He commended ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba “for making his report public in good time so that the full truth is revealed”.
“This will hopefully provide guidelines for the future humane treatment of vulnerable psychiatric patients.”
– TMG Digital
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