The Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa (Hospersa) welcomes the acknowledgement of the recent deaths of mental health patients during his annual Gauteng State of the Province Address (SOPA) yesterday.  The Union is encouraged by his apology and undertaking to carry out the recommendations of the Health Ombudsman, and calls for speedy action to send a strong message to those involved with poor management and corruption.

In his address delivered at Green Hills Stadium in Rand-West City, Randfontein on Monday 20 February 2017, the Premier openly acknowledged and apologised for the tragic deaths of more than 94 patients who passed away under the care of the Gauteng Department of Health.  He indicated his commitment to ensuring restorative justice and healing for the affected families.  Makhura stated that he would be taking hands with the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi and the newly-appointed Gauteng Health Member of the Executive Council (MEC) Dr Gwen Ramakgopa to implement the report recommendations of the Health Ombudsman, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba.

“Hospersa appreciates the fact that the Premier acknowledged the tragedy,” said Hospersa General Secretary Noel Desfontaines.  “We are also encouraged by his apology to the families and undertakings to implement the recommendations of the report,” he said.

“Hospersa calls on the Premier to take swift action against all the implicated officials.  We need to send a strong message against maladministration in the province,” Desfontaines added.  “Hospersa is of the view that the blatant mismanagement of public healthcare by the implicated officials is the direct cause of the tragic deaths of the Life Esidimeni patients and they should be brought to book,” he said.

“Hospersa is convinced that serving due justice in this instance will go a long way in addressing the problems.  The mismanagement of projects, maladministration and corruption remain the root contributors to the lack of service delivery in the province,” Desfontaines concluded.

Issued by Health and Other Service Personnel Trade Union of South Africa