The extended deadline for moving former Life Esidimeni psychiatric patients passed at the end of April, but approximately 100 patients are still housed at illegal Non-governmental Organisations (NGOs), which caused the death of over 100 other patients.
Jack Bloom, DA Gauteng Shadow MEC for Health, is concerned that they have not yet been transferred.
“My information is that there are enough beds for the patients at the Selby Park Hospital and the Esidimeni Waverley facility in Germiston, which has been reopened,” Bloom said.
He has now called for a full report as to why the extended deadline has not been met, as well as details relating to the patients at the various NGOs and why they are still there.
It is not only the transfers that concern Bloom; he wants to know what progress has been made regarding holding those responsible for the deaths of the more than 100 psychiatric patients accountable.
He is also concerned by what he calls the failure to appoint a credible prominent person to lead the Ombudsman-recommended Alternative Dispute Resolution procedure for redress and compensation of Esidimeni relatives.
“Every effort should be made to comply with the Ombudsman’s recommendations following the terrible harm caused by the callous transfer of patients from Esidimeni to unsuitable NGOs,” Bloom said.
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