Seven of 27 NGOs implicated in Esidimeni tragedy shut down: Motsoaledi
The Health Minister says some of the Gauteng NGOs implicated in the Esidimeni tragedy have now been shut and their psychiatric patients moved.
Minister Aaron Motsoaledi has briefed the media on progress regarding the recommendations of the health ombudsman.
The report followed an investigation which revealed 94 mentally-ill people died - after the Gauteng Health Department moved them from the Life Esidimeni Care Facility - apparently as a cost-cutting measure.
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Patients were placed in various NGOs - some of which were operating unlawfully.
Motsoaledi says earlier this month - he appointed 60 professional and technical experts who then visited the 27 NGOs involved.
"To date we can confirm that seven facilities have been closed, and no longer house any mental health patients. Please note that the closure started as early as October last year, when the Ministerial Advisory Committee on Mental Health visited 17 of the 27 facilities," he said.