The Health Ombud, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba would like to note and aknowledge receipt of the media statement released by Mr. Jack Bloom, Shadow MPL (Health) from the Democratic Alliance (DA) in relation to the deaths of Life Esidimeni mentally ill patients in Gauteng Province.
The Health Ombud together with the National Department of Health, Office of Premier of Gauteng and the Gauteng Department of Health are in the process of finalizing the death figures relating to the Life Esidimeni mentally-ill patients in Gauteng and once finalized this figure will be released publicly in due course. The process is so advanced that the outcome will be released soon.
The Health Ombud would like to highlight that he does not know how the SAPS arrived at the information provided to Community Safet MEC Sizakele Nkosi-Malobane in response to Mr. Jack Bloom’s question in the Gauteng Legislature.
Issued by Prof MW Makgoba
Health Ombud
For more information contact: Ricardo Mahlakanya: Mobile. 066 473 8666, and Email. rmahlakanya@ohsc.org.za