Shocking neglect at Northern Cape mental health hospitals

THE Health Ombud, Professor Taole Mokoena, has released the findings of a critical investigation into the treatment, complications, and deaths of psychiatric patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital (NCMHH) and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital (RMSH).

- HOPE NTANZI

The investigation, launched following a complaint by Minister of Health Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in October 2024, found that the general care provided at the two institutions was “substandard”, with two patients dying and another left bedridden following brain surgery.

The incidents, which occurred in July and August 2024, were investigated in terms of Section 81A (11) of the National Health Amendment Act, 2013. The report revealed gross mismanagement, failure to provide urgent medical care, lack of functional equipment, and extreme infrastructural deficiencies.

Mokoena said, “The investigation concluded that the general care provided at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital and the Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital to the patients was substandard, and patients were not attended to in a manner consistent with the nature and severity of their health condition, as required by Regulation 5 (1) of the Norms and Standards Regulations Applicable to Different Categories of Health Establishments, 2018.”

One of the patients, Cyprian Mohoto, was transferred from NCMHH to RMSH on July 13, 2024, with a suspected abdominal obstruction.