Pretoria - The Gauteng Department of Health has extended its contract with Life Esidimeni until June this year.
The department on Thursday said the contract was supposed to end in March. Life Esidimeni is an institution which accommodates mental patients for the department.
“A lot of work has gone into preparation for transferring patients to different facilities and Non-Government Organisations. As part of this, a group of doctors has been observing all patients at the institution, classifying them into different categories of mental illness,” said the department.
It said the verification process would then inform where each patient should be transferred.
Following the observation, the department said the doctors took a decision based on clinical reasons that patients be discharged in phases, thus necessitating the extension of the contract for three months.
“This process is meant to introduce patients to the new environment gradually and systemically,” said the department.
The department said work has been done to refurbish the existing infrastructure for this purpose. Mental health institutions have enough beds and are ready to accommodate transferred patients.
“We also wish to assure employees currently employed by Life Esidimeni that they will be absorbed by the department.
“This process will be conducted through walk-ins, meaning that we will conduct interviews, verify their records, including qualifications and criminal records, and subsequently confirm their appointments accordingly.
“We wish to state categorically that no patient will be thrown onto the streets as a result of the said termination of this contract,” said the department.
Life Esidimeni currently houses about 1 535 patients.
The department's MEC Qedani Mahlangu said the termination of the contract will assist the department to save funds from its budget and reprioritise other health responsibilities. - SAnews.gov.za
