The SA Human Rights Commission has given the Northern Cape Department of Health 60 days to sort out the appalling state of the Northern Cape Mental Health Hospital in Kimberley after its report uncovered a litany of shocking conditions, including a year-long power outage that caused the deaths of two patients.
The electrical issue had forced families to arrange their own undertaking services after the mortuary shut down, but other systemic failures included medication melting in 45°C pharmacy conditions, and no maintenance staff since 2020, reports News24.
The SAHRC report, which unpacked the failures of the department that led to the power outage at the hospital, found that it had failed dismally in its obligations by allowing severe infrastructural and operational breakdowns and failing to provide adequate staffing and maintenance.
The report complements findings by the Health Ombud released last year, revealing that in July and August 2024, the hospital and several neighbouring health facilities were “facing challenges with electricity supply due to cable theft and vandalism at their substation”.
Although power was restored within days at two neighbouring hospitals, it took an entire year for it to be restored at the hospital, leaving patients with no heating, ventilation, or air conditioning (HVAC). Patients who had not been issued adequate clothing and blankets froze to death during icy winter conditions.
The Health Ombud investigation found that two patients died while another two had been admitted to Robert Mangaliso Sobukwe Hospital in a critical condition.
The SAHRC report also found that the mortuary stopped operations on 19 October 2023 after a power outage that compromised refrigeration systems.
“Although electricity was later restored, the refrigeration units and components were not repaired, and the facility remained non-operational at the time of the investigation (May 2024). Consequences include outsourcing of body storage to a private mortuary, placing undue burdens on families to provide their own undertaking services,” the report found.
The mortuary was just one area of concern.
The SAHRC found that over the six years the “state-of-the-art psychiatric facility” has been operational, no facilities manager and no maintenance personnel have been appointed. A service provider was initially appointed to tackle maintenance problems, but after that contract ended in 2020, the hospital was left without any maintenance capacity or plan.
Among the maintenance issues noted by the SAHRC were broken windows covered with cardboard, broken doors that were collapsing and blocked with couches and other items to prevent patients from escaping, showers in which waste pushed up through the drainage system, as well as peeling walls and damaged ceilings.
In addition, the hot water systems and sanitation facilities were not functioning, the report found.
No fire drill had taken place since the hospital opened in 2019.
Concerns were also raised about the management of the pharmacy, including non-compliance with security and storage standards as mandated by the South African Pharmacy Council.
The temperature could not be controlled to stay between 18 and 25 degrees, resulting in medication starting to melt and discolour under the 45-degree temperature in which they were stored. There are no windows to provide natural light, with the waiting area, stores, and pharmacy itself being dark, and as a result, patients being scared to enter to receive their medication.
The SAHRC report also warned that without adequate lighting, there were risks of dispensing errors and even death.
The SAHRC has given the provincial Health Department 60 days to appoint key staff and produce emergency plans for electricity, HVAC, water, and structural hazards. It has also been ordered to address safety and security failures, fill critical staff vacancies, and train all personnel on mental healthcare and safety standards within two months.
It has been given 90 days to ensure pharmacy compliance, secure patient records, and repair the mortuary refrigeration system.
See more from MedicalBrief archives:
Heads to roll after mental patients froze to death in Northern Cape hospitals
Mental healthcare resources dire in some provinces, says Phaahla