Esidimeni saga: Health department denies food shortage

Yet another non-governmental organisation (NGO) that has taken in former Life Esidimeni patients has been called into question.

The NGO has come under fire for not having proper means of collecting food for their patients, which could lead to a shortage of food.

Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, said Tshepong Health Centre in Attridgeville, Pretoria had taken in 185 former Esidimeni patients. He added the centre relies on charities and relatives to bring food in to feed patients.

Bloom claims the centre receives most of its food and supplies from an Islamic charity.

In addition, he said that Sakkie du Plooy, the Tshwane Health and Social Development MMC had managed to arrange food assistance, mattresses and second-hand clothing after Bronwynn Engelbrecht, DA Member of Parliament raised the matter.

“I am concerned that four patients have died this year at this centre which is struggling with funding. Many of its patients cannot get disability grants as they do not have ID numbers and the Gauteng Health Department has also not provided sufficient support,” Bloom said.

In addition to the centre allegedly not having sufficient means to provide for its patients, Bloom said relatives have also expressed concern that the centre’s caregivers are not qualified enough to look after the special needs of the patents.

“I have requested the Health Committee of the Gauteng Legislature to do an official oversight visit to the centre as soon as possible to ensure that the large number of psychiatric patients who are there receive decent care,” Bloom said.

Regarding visits, Bloom tried to visit the centre to do his own oversight visit but was allegedly denied access. For future visits he said, “The centre should welcome inspection visits if they have nothing to hide.”

According to an EWN report on the matter, the Gauteng Health Department has denied Bloom’s claims that the centre has a shortage of food.

“We have sent out officials to this NGO to verify whether there is food and we can confirm and have pictures to share that there is food at this NGO,” Steve Mabona from the Department said.

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