Gauteng Health assures improved mental health services at Tembisa Hospital amid resurfaced video and looting scandal
Mapaballo Borotho
- Gauteng’s Health Department says Tembisa Hospital has improved its mental health services and increased bed capacity, following a misleading resurfaced 2022 video.
- The hospital recently reopened parts of its casualty unit after a fire earlier this year.
- Meanwhile, an SIU investigation has uncovered a R2 billion corruption scandal involving hospital staff and three criminal syndicates.
The Gauteng Department of Health has assured the public that Tembisa Hospital continues to deliver improved services for mental health patients, following the circulation of an old video alleging poor patient care.
The department clarified that the viral footage, filmed in 2022 in an overflow area of the casualty ward, is being shared again to mislead the public.
In a statement, the department emphasised that significant improvements have been made since then, including an increase in bed capacity for mental health admissions.
“There are currently no mental healthcare patients waiting for beds at the hospital,” the statement read, noting that all patients in need of assessment and admission are now accommodated.
The hospital, which partially reopened its casualty department after a fire earlier this year, has recently come under renewed scrutiny due to a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe.
The investigation uncovered three coordinated syndicates that looted over R2 billion meant for healthcare services. Several hospital employees were implicated, and the hospital’s suspended CEO, Dr. Ashley Mthunzi, who died last year, was accused of involvement.
His wife has reportedly claimed he was being used as a scapegoat in the corruption scandal.