The Democratic Alliance has welcomed the announcement that the Health Ombudsman‘s final report about the deaths of mental health patients in Gauteng will be made public today, February 1.
According to professor Malegapuru Makgoba, “Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu provided feedback on the report within the set time frame, submitting a 10-page document on January 13 and a 12-page document on January 24.”
94 unlawful deaths and still counting – Health Ombud Malegapuru Makgoba lashes government https://t.co/ntdFWdeKTk pic.twitter.com/bGJ8GgIchq
— Sowetan LIVE (@SowetanLIVE) February 1, 2017
Makgoba has studied the input received and finalized the report which was provided to the Acting CEO of the Office of Health Standards Compliance (OHSC) Bafana Msibi on Monday, January 30 as required by law for action.
It is believed that the report will indicate that as many as 80 patients died when they were transferred from Life Healthcare Esidimeni after the Gauteng Health Department cancelled its contract with them last year.
#LifeEsidemeni Motsoaledi – This is why we decided to establish a Health Ombud to investigate grievances by members of the public
— Kaya 959 News (@KayaNews) February 1, 2017
The Gauteng Shadow Health MEC Jack Bloom said: “Relatives of those who died, need to know the truth about the circumstances of their deaths.”
Health Ombud releases his report today on psychiatric patient deaths. After 141 days, how long before Health MEC is fired? #MahlanguMustGo
— Jack Bloom (@JackBloomDA) February 1, 2017
The report should lead to accountability for the deaths.
Criminal prosecutions may follow depending on the evidence provided in the report and will include the post-mortems on those who died.
Bloom said: “Patients should never again be abused by the health system and their lives put at risk by ill-considered actions.”
BREAKING: Country's Health Ombud confirms 94 mentally-ill patients died after their transfer from Life Esidimeni. pic.twitter.com/NexjwymxzV
— Xoli Mngambi (@XoliMngambi) February 1, 2017
https://t.co/By0KBr5HQV | Health ombud to release report into the death of mentally ill patients https://t.co/j7q0HAjYbM
— News24 (@News24) January 27, 2017