Mental Health and Society’s Perceptions

Abstract

The deaths of mentally ill patients transferred from Life Esidimeni health facilities in Gauteng province, South Africa to 27 unlicensed nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) is a sober reflection of how we as a society perceive and care for mentally ill people. As of 15 February 2017, the Health ombudsman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba reported that the death toll of these transferred patients from Life Esidimeni to the 27 unlicensed NGOs was above 100.