A Medical Expert has told the Life Esidimeni Inquest in Pretoria that mentally ill patients were transferred to new Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) without proper records detailing their medical needs and condition.
Professor Abel Pienaar has testified that the transfer of patients from the Life Esidemeni led to neglect and poor healthcare.
The Health Ombudsman revealed that the 144 patients died of hunger, dehydration and neglect during and after they were moved to ill-equipped and unregistered NGOs. This is after the Gauteng
The Gauteng Health Department closed down the Life Esidimeni facilities in June 2016, citing financial constraints.
Professor Pienaar says no one was closely monitoring the patients.
“What I mean my lady is that in my assessment, all these patients are either severe or profoundly and intellectually unable. Therefore in contact, direct and close monitoring of patients is of most importance. And I mean monitoring of care and the condition of the patient, should the condition deteriorate.”
Last month, Deputy Director-General for Mental Health Services in Gauteng, Hannah Jacobus denied any knowledge of patients who died during their transfer from the Life Esidimeni to unlicensed facilities in 2016:
