Health Ombud’s damning report ‘risks becoming a whitewash’

LABOUR unions and political parties remain sceptical about whether decisive action will be taken to address the findings of the Health Ombudsman into the maltreatment and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RSMH), and are concerned that it may fizzle into a whitewash report.

The report found that patients suffered severe neglect and that two patients froze to death at the NCMHH.

Cope acting national chairperson Pakes Dikgetsi stated that the police had refused to open criminal charges against the management of the Northern Cape Department of Health.

“Senior managers at the SAPS were vehemently opposed to opening cases of murder, attempted murder and/or culpable homicide. This smacks of political interference of the highest level,” said Dikgetsi.

SAPS Northern Cape spokesperson Sergeant Molefi Shemane explained that the Kimberley police had opened an inquiry on August 1.

“The inquiry has been referred to the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for a decision,” said Shemane.

FF+ member of the Northern Cape Provincial Legislature Theo Joubert said the MEC for Health should be removed from his position.

“The Health Ombud’s report exposed a culture of mismanagement, financial recklessness and impunity for perpetrators that cost patients their lives,” said Joubert.

“No action was taken despite several warnings and negative audit reports. Criminal action should be pursued against corrupt officials.”

Department ‘turned a blind eye’ 

Public Servants Association (PSA) provincial manager Steve Ledibane stated that R1.4 million was needed to ensure that equipment was functioning at state health facilities.

“Some hospitals do not have oxygen machines, while golf carts and unsuitable furniture were purchased at the NCMHH. It was reported that R200,000 was spent per week on diesel for a second-hand generator at the psychiatric hospital. This was not enough to keep the power on, and the generator was leaking diesel, creating a fire hazard. Careline Private Psychiatric Hospital, which was also affected by cable theft in the same area, managed to restore the power supply within two months, while it took NCMHH an entire year.”

Ledibane advised the bereaved families to seek legal recourse.

“Vulnerable patients were exposed to the harsh elements during the cold winter months without any warm water. We gave our members torches and staff members used their cellphones as a light source.”

He pointed out that the Department of Health had turned a “blind eye” and remained “nonchalant” when unions highlighted shortcomings that were later included in the Health Ombud’s report.

“It is too little, too late. Apportioning blame on our shop stewards appears to be a tactic to deflect attention. Responsible officials should be held personally liable, with their pensions withheld.”

Democratic Nursing Organisation of SA (Denosa) provincial secretary Dimpho Disipi added that labour unions were not included in the task team.

“If management is not held accountable, the report will be a futile exercise where doctors and nurses are targeted.”

He noted that Minister of Health Aaron Motsoaledi had committed R6.7 billion towards addressing staff shortages throughout the country.

“We are not sure how much will be directed to the Northern Cape, which usually gets the smallest allocation as it has the smallest population.”

Disipi stated that a meeting scheduled by the head of the Department of Health with labour unions on August 15 was cancelled without reason.

“It makes us wonder how serious the department is about resolving healthcare challenges.”

Health and Other Services Personnel Trade Union of SA (Hospersa) provincial secretary Dion Olivier stated that nothing would change if personnel shortages were not addressed.

“There are only 30 graduates from the Henrietta Stockdale College per year, and if students wish to specialise in areas such as midwifery or psychiatry, they have to attend a college outside the province. There are also many outstanding overtime payments.”

He added that a doctor was among the union members who were summoned to explain patient negligence.

“A fish rots from the head, and the task team must first tackle the fact that patients froze to death due to substandard pyjamas that were procured and the power supply that was off for a year.”

National Education, Health and Allied Workers Union (Nehawu) provincial secretary Moleme Moleme pointed out that top management should be held accountable for chronic staff shortages.

“Community health workers are checking patients’ vital signs, which is outside the scope of their duties. We raised a number of anomalies during the Minister of Health’s visit, including emergency services and patient transport.”

He added that members who had been implicated were not provided with the necessary support, equipment or resources to do their jobs.

Department to inspect facilities in Dawid Kruiper municipality

Northern Cape Department of Health spokesperson Lebogang Majaha said that the executive management would visit health facilities in the Dawid Kruiper Local Municipality from August 13 to 15.

“As a result of this important management visit, the meeting has been postponed until further notice.”

He said the department had successfully reactivated an additional generator that was previously stored at the mental health hospital and installed it to increase the capacity of the back-up power when the electricity was off.

Spokesperson for the national Department of Health, Foster Mohale, in response to media enquiries, said that the task team included officials from the national office to assist in implementing the recommendations of the Health Ombud and to provide regular update reports to the Minister of Health, the Premier and the MEC for Health.

More details on the task team 

Spokesperson for the MEC for Health, Mandisa Mereeothle, said they were in the process of establishing the task team, which included both internal and external members to ensure objectivity.

“Members of staff received audi letters last week and are expected to respond by the end of this week. Appropriate action will be taken following an assessment of all responses.” 

She added that bereaved families were welcome to consult their legal advisers following the tragic deaths.

“The department is consulting with Treasury and other stakeholders to source funding to implement the recommendations with financial implications.”

Mereeothle said that the meeting on August 15 was scheduled prior to the visit of the Minister of Health on August 8 at the Office of the Premier, where labour unions were invited to discuss the Health Ombud’s report.

“Friday’s meeting was cancelled as it was no longer necessary,” she said.