Health Ombud to release findings on probe into psychiatric patients’ treatment at 2 NC hospitals
The investigation addresses cases involving the death of two patients and inadequate medical care for another at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital.
Picture: Refilwe Thobega/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The Health Ombud is set to release its findings on Wednesday on an investigation into the treatment complications and deaths of psychiatric patients at two Northern Cape hospitals.
The investigation addresses cases involving the death of two patients and inadequate medical care for another at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital.
The investigation was initiated following a complaint lodged by Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi in Kimberly in October.
A previous investigation by the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) and the Mental Health Review Board in August revealed that the deaths of three patients at the Kimberly Mental Health Hospital were under investigation.
The deaths were allegedly linked to the facility's poor infrastructure, which included a lack of electricity due to cable theft, broken windows and a lack of warm water.
The patients were transferred to Robert Sobukwe Hospital, where they died.
In January, there was also a report of a 22-year-old mother who fell to her death from the fifth floor of the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital.
An inquest docket was opened, and the Northern Cape Department of Health confirmed it would investigate the incident.
The media briefing is set to provide an overview of the investigation's findings, conclusions and recommendations.