Kimberley: Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi has visited the Northern Cape following the release of the Health Ombud report on the treatment, complications, and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Hospital (NCMHH) and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH).
According to South African Government News Agency, last month, Health Ombud Professor Taole Mokoena released a report about his findings on the investigations done at the Northern Cape Mental Hospital and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital. The report highlighted severe shortcomings in patient care, including prolonged damage to electricity infrastructure that left patients freezing to death, acute staff shortages, dangerous medical negligence, and poor facility conditions, such as broken windows and leaking roofs.
The investigation uncovered multiple critical issues, with patients exposed to extreme cold during electricity outages, resulting in one patient dying from hypothermia and others developing serious medical complications. Two patients at NCMHH died due to poor conditions, one from hypothermia and another from pneumonia, while a third patient at RMSH died from a stroke. The Ombud found that inadequate medical care and failure to follow clinical protocols contributed to these deaths.
The investigation was prompted by Motsoaledi, who requested the Health Ombud to conduct an investigation. During his visit to the Northern Cape, Motsoaledi met with Premier Dr Zamani Saul, Health MEC Maruping Lekwene, Finance MEC Venus Blennies-Magage, and the management team of the Department of Health to discuss the findings.
The discussions focused on issues of human resources, procurement, clinical protocols, and practices within the hospitals. Some health workers, including doctors and nurses, were identified for not performing certain professional clinical functions with diligence. Following the initial meeting, it was agreed that all the labour unions had to be consulted.
Motsoaledi met with representatives from five labour unions, including the Democratic Nursing Organisation of South Africa (DENOSA), the Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (HOSPERSA), the National Education, Health and Allied Workers’ Union (NEHAWU), the Public Servants Association of South Africa (PSA), and the National Union of Public Service and Allied Workers (NUPSAW). He explained the purpose of the trip, the findings of the Health Ombud, and future actions.
The department reported that the labour unions expressed dissatisfaction with how the Health Ombud implicated some of their members and requested further investigation. Motsoaledi informed them about the correct procedures regarding the Health Ombud Report, clarifying that he is not an appeals authority and cannot review the reports. He advised that standard procedures, including establishing a tribunal, should be followed for any appeals.
Motsoaledi also updated the unions on plans for improving staffing, procuring beds and linen, and hiring health workers in the health sector. The visit concluded with a site visit at the two hospitals for the delegations to witness the findings of the Health Ombud and to begin implementing the report’s recommendations.