Remaining silent is not an option anymore. Dr Kiran Sukeri, a psychiatrist at the Tower Psychiatric Hospital in Fort Beaufort in the Eastern Cape shares these sentiments about the treatment of patients at the institution. Knowing that telling this story would put his job, his family and himself in danger, the Dr felt the need to try and help the patients due to the countless deaths that have been happening. Which were all hidden by the government. At least 4 patients have died at the institution in January alone.
Other claims include:
Patients are kept in solitary confinement with only a bucket for a toilet if they become 'restless', so much that one other patient wrapped his legs in a sheet and set himself on fire.
They are served poor quality food, one sardine can per 10 patients. Their clothes are ragged and old, despite the million rand clothing budget.
This is obviously a very inhumane way to live, since when is being mentally ill a death sentence? People with mental illness need our support because they didn't ask for this to happen to them either. They are also human beings and deserve to live a life filled with self dignity and contentment. This is an issue the government needs to start taking seriously and it's up to us to make them actionable and accountable for situations of negligence such as this. Every life is precious and mental illness is real. We need to be aware and have loud voices so that the next generation can know that its okay to speak up about what they feel is wrong. To me, Dr Kiran Sukeri is a hero for fighting for the rights of mentally ill people.
Link:https://www.msn.com/en-za/health/medical/eastern-capes-ticking-psychiatric-time-bomb/ar-BBJQqr5?ocid=spartanntp_edu
Other claims include:
Patients are kept in solitary confinement with only a bucket for a toilet if they become 'restless', so much that one other patient wrapped his legs in a sheet and set himself on fire.
They are served poor quality food, one sardine can per 10 patients. Their clothes are ragged and old, despite the million rand clothing budget.
This is obviously a very inhumane way to live, since when is being mentally ill a death sentence? People with mental illness need our support because they didn't ask for this to happen to them either. They are also human beings and deserve to live a life filled with self dignity and contentment. This is an issue the government needs to start taking seriously and it's up to us to make them actionable and accountable for situations of negligence such as this. Every life is precious and mental illness is real. We need to be aware and have loud voices so that the next generation can know that its okay to speak up about what they feel is wrong. To me, Dr Kiran Sukeri is a hero for fighting for the rights of mentally ill people.
Link:https://www.msn.com/en-za/health/medical/eastern-capes-ticking-psychiatric-time-bomb/ar-BBJQqr5?ocid=spartanntp_edu
OMG , this is really sad , Treatment so inhumane that even a mental ill person sets him/herself on fire. No man , what are the family members of these people doing, or is the hospital a dumpsite for people who are not classified as normal in society. YHUU I am seriously heartbroken!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteEastern Cape needs to improve and the government needs to pay attention.
ReplyDeleteThe health facilities are just not taken care of but for mental ill hospitals it is for psychiatrists to take care of the hospitals as the patients can not speak for themselves.
ReplyDeleteWe blame the government and the psychiatrists for serving in such conditions.
What hurts rhe most is knowing that those patients are mostly our black people . Kanti senzeni na?! We need changeš¢
ReplyDeletethis is so sad. We send our family members to get help but instead they arrive at even worse situations. Government should deal with these people accordingly
ReplyDeleteWith a change in the presidential seat, a difference can be maybe in this sector.
ReplyDeleteThe main problem in South Africa as a whole is that people in charge of departments(department of health) are hungry for money, they forget that their main focus are the people of South Africa!!!!
ReplyDelete