Report on deaths of psychiatric patients postponed
Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu has asked for the long-awaited report into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of the mentally ill patients to be postponed
The release of the long-awaited report expected to shed light into the circumstances surrounding the deaths of 36 mentally ill patients in Gauteng has been postponed. This follows a request by health MEC Qedani Mahlangu, who received the draft interim report on January 6. The report by Health Ombud Prof Malegapuru Makgoba was due to be released by on Wednesday. Mahlangu was meant to have responded to the report by last Friday, but instead requested an extension. The MEC now has until January 24 to respond to the draft report — something that she is required by law to do. Last year the national Department of Health ordered the Office of the Health Ombudsman to investigate the deaths of the 36 patients following their transfer from a private care provider, Life Healthcare Esidimeni Centre. The transfer was due to the termination of the contract with the centre after years of service, with the provincial health department citing financial constraints and the need to reintegrate the men...
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