Life Healthcare says 462 patient deaths were natural and not from neglect
JSE-listed Life Healthcare says the 462 patient deaths at its Life Esidimeni facilities over four years were natural and not caused by neglect or malnutrition. Weekend media reports revealed these numbers, spanning October 2011 to June 2016. Following the termination of the public-private partnership with the Gauteng Health Department‚ at least 94 severely mentally ill patients died in non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from hunger‚ thirst‚ pneumonia and untreated diseases. Nilesh Patel‚ Life Healthcare services operations executive‚ told BDlive that the deaths at the NGOs and at the Life Esidimeni homes were not the same. "Absolutely‚ it [462] is a big number and any death is not a positive outcome at all. It is devastating to those affected and involved. We can 100% confirm that none of our patients died from poor care‚ from neglect‚ from dehydration‚ from malnutrition or for not receiving medication. We can attest to the situation and circumstances around all of the deaths. Ea...
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