More money for mental healthcare
Almost R1 billion has been allocated to mental healthcare in Gauteng.
The Gauteng government announced an increase in funding to support mental health patients.
Gauteng Finance MEC Barbara Creecy made the announcement during her budget speech this morning.
The budget for mental healthcare has increased from R700 million in the previous year to R900 million during 2017/18.
The Health Department received R40.2 billion of the provincial government's R108 billion budget.
Creecy also stressed her support for the implementation of the recommendations of the Health Ombuds' Life Esidimeni report
"When the alternative dispute resolution process is complete, we will appropriate any necessary resources for the families of the victims of the Life Esidimeni tragedy from the provincial revenue fund,'' Creecy said.
The Health Ombudsman recommends patients be relocated to properly equipped facilities.
He also recommends action should be taken against government officials who were named in the report.