In an effort to improve the delivery of mental healthcare in the province, Gauteng Department of Health and Social Development MEC Qedani Mahlangu ppointed a Mental Health Review Board to ensure that the care, treatment and rehabilitation of persons who are mentally ill conform to the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.
The members of the board which include a legal expert, mental healthcare practitioner and a community representative visit over 100 institutions which are psychiatric hospitals and mental health non-governmental organisation (NGOs) regularly. The aim of the visit is to monitor whether these institutions comply with Mental Health Care Act No17 of 2002 which aims at ensuring that the rights of those with mental illness are known and protected.
These rights include being treated with respect, human dignity and privacy, not to be unfairly discriminated against, not to be exploited and abused, appeal to the Mental Health Review Board with regard to the care, treatment and rehabilitation rendered to them.
During these site visits, they educate patients on their rights as well as mental health practitioners on how to handle mental health patients. The board also represents patients who feel that they are being unfairly treated in any institution. They also make sure that it is only those patients who should be in an institution that are admitted those who can be treated as out-patients are not forced to be in an institution.
Working with NGOs and other relevant stakeholders, the board members also participate in activities that ensures that once discharged from a mental health institution, patients are integrated back into communities and there are support groups to assist them to deal with any form of discrimination they might face in their communities.
Members of the board also alert the department on areas that needs improvement to ensure quality service delivery.
In addition to the work of the Mental Health Board, the department’s health promoters goes out to schools, health facilities and communities creating awareness on mental disorders and educating people on how to live a fulfilling life even if you suffer from mental illness.
The department is in a process to improve psychiatric health facilities to ensure that the environment is comfortable and friendly to patients.
Sterkfontein Hospital in Mogale City is the first institution to benefit. In April 2010, MEC Qedani Mahlangu officially opened a newly built section at the hospital which assists in assessing awaiting trial detainees. This new unit with 30 beds will contribute towards reducing the waiting period thus enabling justice to be carried out speedily. In addition to the awaiting trial detainees, the new ward will also cater for high-risk patients that are difficult to manage in other wards. It also has four isolation rooms where aggressive people are placed. The unit has a kitchen and dining area. There are also consultation rooms for doctors in the unit where prisoners are evaluated.
During October, Mental Health Awareness Month, the department with the help of the board will be focusing on families living with mentally ill persons, encouraging mental health users to comply with their treatment and focus onrehabilitation. Support groups will also be encouraged to ensure smooth integration into society once the patients are discharged.
The Gauteng Mental Health Care Review Board can be contacted on 011 355 3375/3279/3413.
Enquiries:
Mandla Sidu
Cell: 082 773 9013
