Ombudsman to investigate deaths of psychiatric patients
The Minister of Health Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi has asked the Office of health Ombuds to investigate allegations that 36 psychiatric patients in Gauteng.
According to a statement the patients allegedly died after being transferred from Life Health Care, Esidimeni into care of Non-governmental organizations early this year.
The statement reads that the minister decided to approach the Health Ombuds to investigate this allegations after a meeting between the minister & the Gauteng Health MEC, Qedani Mahlangu earlier this week.
"The MEC gave the minister an update report on the transfer of psychiatric patient transfer and further asked for intervention by the national department to deal with the matter effectively.," the Health ministry said in the statement.
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Minister Motsoaledi said that all the cases must be thoroughly investigated by the Office of the Health Ombudsman to provide recommendations for the ministry to act.
"The Office of Health Ombuds is established to investigate this kind of cases," Motsoaledi said.