Oversight inspection of the psychiatric ward at Thelle Mogoerane

Following the death of three psychiatric patients late last year at the Thelle Mogoerane Regional Hospital in Vosloorus, Solly Msimanga, DA Gauteng premier candidate, visited the hospital on February 13 to assess the quality of service rendered to psychiatric patients and the state of mental healthcare facilities at the hospital.

Msimanga was accompanied by Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng shadow MEC of Health.

He said during their oversight inspection of the psychiatric ward at the hospital, they found out the ward is facing a serious challenge of overcrowding.

“It has only one psychiatric ward which can accommodate 10 males and 10 females. There is an overflow of psychiatric patients being admitted to this hospital. Some of the psychiatric patients had to be placed in ordinary wards, endangering the lives of ordinary patients. The hospital staff are doing their best despite working under tremendous strain and being understaffed,” said Msimanga.

He believes there is a lack of support from both national and provincial health departments to manage the overflow of patients at this hospital.

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“We will follow up with the MEC for Health, Gwen Ramokgopa, to ascertain the progress of the investigation into their deaths, making sure those implicated in the deaths of the three patients are held accountable,” said Msimanga.

Kathorus MAIL asked Msimanga about their findings pertaining to the investigation. He said except for the fact that the hospital wrote a report to Ramokgopa, nothing else has been done.

“We spoke to different staff members who only expressed their feelings about bad working conditions at the hospital. They even wrote a letter to the MEC complaining about it and that the provincial government did nothing,” said Msimanga.

Philani Mhlungu, the hospital’s spokesperson, said there is nothing much the hospital can say about the investigation.

“The hospital wrote a report about the deaths of the three patients last year and the report was sent to the office of the MEC. If anyone wants to know about the report or the outcome of the investigation, they can contact the MEC’s office,” said Mhlungu.

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In conclusion, Mhlungu said some of the causes of the three deaths were suicide.

“As a result, the hospital increased the number of security to look after the psychiatric patients. We even increased the number of CCTV cameras in the ward.”