An apparent discrepancy in figures from a provincial authority has prompted a politician to ask: “What happened to about 400 mentally ill patients who should have been placed in institutions?”

The Democratic Alliance’s Jack Bloom said on Wednesday that “mystery surrounds the whereabouts of about 400 chronically ill psychiatric patients who were discharged earlier this year from Life Healthcare Esidimeni after the Gauteng Health Department cancelled its contract with them”.

He said Gauteng Health MEC Qedani Mahlangu’s answer to his questions in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature revealed that “1362 psychiatric patients were relocated from Esidimeni to three hospitals and 25 NGOs” and a “further 91 patients were discharged to the care of their families”.

“But last year‚ in another written reply to my questions‚ Mahlangu said that 1671 patients at Esidimeni needed long-term care‚ and NGOs would also accommodate 113 patients that need medium-term care but are categorised as high-level functioning patients‚” Bloom said.

“I am concerned that 1784 patients were supposed to be placed in hospitals and NGOs‚ but this has only happened for 1362 patients.”

The department original plan was to “house 1193 patients at the Weskoppies‚ Sterkfontein‚ Tshwane District and Cullinan Care hospitals‚ as well as refurbished parts of the Transvaal Memorial Institution (TMI)‚ Pinnar and Old Germiston Hospital. NGOs were supposed to house 591 patients”.

But‚ Bloom said‚ “according to Mahlangu…only 360 patients have been housed at Weskoppies‚ Sterkfontein and Cullinan‚ and none whatsoever at Tshwane District‚ TMI‚ Pinnar and Old Germiston Hospital”.

“A total of 1002 patients are now in 25 NGOs‚ ranging from 197 patients at Tshepong to one patient at Hephzibhar‚” he added.

“This shows extremely poor planning‚ and there are many complaints from relatives about the unsuitability of the NGOs and lack of care for patients who sometimes don’t get their medicine.” – TMG Digital