Global lessons for deinstitutionalisation from the ill-fated transfer of mental health-care users in Gauteng, South Africa.

Journal: The lancet. Psychiatry

Volume: 5

Issue: 9

Year of Publication: 2019

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Human and Community Development, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. Electronic address: mfreeman@telkomsa.net.

Abstract summary 

South Africa witnessed a national tragedy between October, 2015, and June, 2016, when the Department of Health in Gauteng province moved 1711 mental health-care users with severe mental illness or severe and profound intellectual disability out of facilities managed by a private company, Life Esidimeni, mainly into the care of non-governmental organisations. The plan was called the Gauteng Mental Health Marathon Project. In a rushed and flawed process, 144 people died, and the whereabouts of another 44 remain unknown. The report of an extensive arbitration process, released in March, 2018, raises important ethical, moral, political, legal, governance, accountability, and clinical issues. The events from the tragedy and findings that were made also serve as lessons for future deinstitutionalisation globally.

Authors & Co-authors:  Freeman Melvyn Colin MC

Study Outcome 

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Citations : 
Authors :  1
Identifiers
Doi : 10.1016/S2215-0366(18)30211-6
SSN : 2215-0374
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Attitude of Health Personnel
Other Terms
Study Design
Cross Sectional Study
Study Approach
Country of Study
South Africa
Publication Country
England