Chairperson, following the Life Esidimeni tragedy that physically ended the lives of 143 innocent beings, whose only sin was being mentally sick, whilst the government of the day was only concerned with tenders, we know for a fact that mental health issues will never be resolved by the ANC government. It is even more so for children who are the most neglected group in the country and who suffer 40% of sexual violence cases reported.
Efficient mental health services are not being provided to the poor, more especially in townships and rural areas. And when those services are provided, they are below par and even a threat to the right to life.
Patients in psychiatric health care and in public schools and hospitals are treated in the most inhumane manner. The fact that they are unable to care for themselves becomes the very reason why they are exploited by government.
Ill pupils are being denied 72-hour observation and onward referral, as per mental health protocol. In one incident, a patient was denied this four times in a row at the Elizabeth Ross District Hospital and eventually met her untimely death, which is, in fact, murder by the department.
We hear of avoidable deaths ... [Inaudible.] ... young children, some even in primary school, on a daily basis. This happens because you refuse to give each school a permanent psychologist and/or therapist to assist people with mental health issues, as per the recommendation of the EFF. There are communities that are still struggling to understand the importance and nature of mental health challenges. This does not make it any better. Our youth are judged to be rebels that resort to drugs and alcohol abuse, who in fact are suffocated by depression with no outlet for redemption.
Furthermore, in the autism spectrum, only children of rich parents have access to occupational therapy from any childhood development level. This department has failed toddlers from getting an opportunity to recover and be in mainstream education, or, at least, be in daycares and public schools that cater for their needs.
The Department of Health is aware that the majority of hospitals around the country and psychiatric departments face challenges of replacement, power supply, equipment shortages, in some hospitals a vacancy rate of up to 46%, accommodation for health professionals at the hospitals, slow hospital revitalisation, geographical location of hospitals and medical depots not supplying medication on time. However, we still send our sick children to these debilitating facilities.
The Department of Health, in particular, has done absolutely nothing about this promise, a 10-year plan that does not have tangible targets of implementing this, or a plan that centres the most affected by mental issues, developmental issues and learning disabilities.
As a matter of urgency, there must be a correlation of capacity by the Department of Basic Education and the Department of Health and an implementation programme of making mental health services available on request for pupils, their parents and teachers. There must be at least one psychologist in each school in the country. They must be on site and readily available to cater for the mental health needs of pupils.
This will also assist in the early detection of sexual violence ...