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A Joint Committee of the Portfolio Committee on Health and the Select Committee on Social Services has urged the national Department of Health to ensure that the recommendations made by the Health Ombudsman, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, in the report on the circumstances surrounding the death of mentally ill patients in Gauteng are all speedily and fully implemented.

The Committee welcomes the briefing on the report by Prof Makgoba but is very much shocked and highly dismayed to learn that more than 100 mentally ill patients have since died. This process has allowed members of the Committee to have more information and get a better understanding of the situation. The Committee also welcomes and appreciates the briefing by the Minister of Health, Dr Aaron Motsoaledi, on this matter and on the progress made thus far as well as measures and systems that are being put in place to ensure full implementation of the recommendations. The Committee urges the minister to urgently prioritise the review of the two legislations, that is, the National Health Act and Mental Health Care Act in order to strengthen the powers of the minister. The Committee is also encouraged by the fact that the Minister of Health is working closely with the Gauteng Health MEC, Dr Gwen Ramokgopa, in this matter.

As part of its oversight role, the Committee will continue to engage with the department on the progress of the implementation that is taken, following the recommendations of the Health Ombudsman.

Issued by Parliamentary Communication Services on behalf of the Acting Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Health, Mr Fish Mahlalela and the Chairperson of the Select Committee on Social Services, Ms Cathy Dlamini