36 psychiatric patients have died after being transferred
A total of 36 psychiatric patients, who were transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni earlier this year, have died while in the care of the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in which they were placed by the Gauteng Health Department.
This was disclosed by Gauteng MEC for Health Qedani Mahlangu in an oral reply to a question by the DA in the Legislature on Tuesday.
According to the DA's Jack Bloom, the psychiatric patients were moved to 122 NGOs after the department cancelled its long-running contract with Life Healthcare, which looked after about 2000 patients.
"I am horrified that so many patients have died from undisclosed causes after being transferred to NGOs, many of which relatives have said are unsuitable. I am aware that eight patients died at the Previous Angels NGO and some others died at Takalani and the Cullinan Centre," Bloom said.
Bloom said Mahlangu confirmed that the patients were transferred without clinical files that detailed their medical history, and doctors were sent to the NGOs to examine the medical needs of the patients.
"She said that an investigation was continuing into the cause of the deaths," Bloom said.
Mahlangu could not be reached for comment.