Makgoba: Moving patients to NGOs equivalent to death sentence
Health ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba has told the Life Esidimeni alternative dispute resolution hearing that the Gauteng health department failed to keep its promises.
Day 2 of the hearings is looking into the circumstances that led to the deaths of 118 Life Esidimeni patients, who were transferred from the institution to various NGOs in Gauteng last year.
The proceedings are led by retired deputy chief justice Dikgang Moseneke and is due to be completed by the end of October.
Moseneke went to great lengths to try and understand why former Gauteng health MEC Qedani Mahlangu pushed for the transfers despite the obvious risks involved.
"What was the political interest that required patients be spread them around in facilities which were inadequate?" he wanted to know.
He also asked Makgoba if government lied, to which the ombudsman answered: "They were economical with the truth."
Makgoba further testified that minister of health Aaron Motsoaledi was not aware of plans to move patients, while Gauteng premier David Makhura was even more surprised.
At the same time the ombudsman accused government of merely paying lip service to the development of community-based care.
"Community-based care won't come cheap. If you go from a mental health centre to an NGO you are going to the gallows."
The second state witness will be Gauteng's health's chief director of policy and planning Levy Mosenogi, who facilitated the transfer of patients.
Meanwhile, Section 27 said it is prepared to subpoena Mahlangu to force her to testify. She is not currently on the list of witnesses.