Health Ombud Exposes Deadly Neglect at Northern Cape Psychiatric Facilities

Severe neglect and failing infrastructure at two Northern Cape hospitals have led to tragic patient deaths, the Health Ombud has revealed in a scathing report.

Patients at the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital in Kimberley and Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital suffered due to power outages, poor equipment, and inadequate care.

Professor Taole Mokoena, the Health Ombud, shared the investigation results on Wednesday at a media briefing in Pretoria. The inquiry followed a complaint made by Health Minister Dr Aaron Motsoaledi in late 2024.

The investigation uncovered that two patients died under circumstances that could have been avoided. One patient, Seprien Mohoto, passed away at Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital after being transferred from the mental hospital. Another patient, Tshepo Ndimbaza, died suddenly at the mental health facility itself.

Several patients were admitted to Robert Sobukwe Hospital in critical condition with hypothermia and other serious ailments. Three individuals were confirmed to have died from hypothermia, while one died from a severe lung infection.

One of the most disturbing issues was the frequent electricity outages at the mental hospital caused by theft and vandalism of the power infrastructure. Without electricity, temperatures dropped dangerously low, resulting in patients freezing to death.

Staff had to rely on their mobile phones for light as nurses worked in the darkness. Security doors stopped functioning, forcing staff to keep them open using heavy items, compromising patient safety.

The hospitals also suffered from extensive infrastructure damage, including broken windows, leaking roofs, blocked sewage, and deteriorating walls. The original construction was also found to be substandard in some areas.

Emergency medical equipment was missing or nonfunctional, and essential medications were not always available. Battery-powered devices failed because they could not be charged during power failures, putting patients at great risk.

The report highlighted critical shortages of qualified nurses. In some cases, shifts operated without professional nurses, leaving enrolled nurses or assistants to care for high-risk patients without proper supervision.

The Ombud attributed these problems to weak leadership and unstable management within the provincial health department. Many senior positions were held by acting personnel, which contributed to poor oversight.

Detailed case reviews showed clear neglect. Mohoto was referred to Robert Sobukwe Hospital with a suspected bowel blockage but was found to have pneumonia. Despite worsening symptoms, he was not treated adequately and died after several days without senior doctor attention.

Ndimbaza was discovered unresponsive due to exposure to cold temperatures and low blood sugar. Resuscitation attempts failed because of a lack of equipment.

Health Minister Motsoaledi expressed deep concern and said professional regulatory bodies would be asked to investigate the healthcare workers involved. He emphasised that repeated training alone cannot excuse grave misconduct.

The Minister also noted infrastructure issues dating back to the hospital’s initial construction, including buildings without proper foundations. He condemned theft of power cables as a crime that leads to death, not just property damage.

While some progress has been made, such as hiring additional nurses, procurement challenges persist. The department is struggling with poor quality linen supplies from a local vendor.

A comprehensive assessment revealed the need for new beds, mattresses, and other essentials costing over one billion rand. The national treasury recently approved an additional 6.7 billion rand to improve health services.

Minister Motsoaledi said the focus will be on hiring more doctors and nurses and acquiring necessary supplies to prevent future tragedies.

The Ombud’s report exposes grave shortcomings in patient care and management but offers recommendations for urgent action and accountability to protect vulnerable mental health patients in the Northern Cape.