Staff Reporter
Bloemfontein – Concerns are mounting over conditions in Free State mental healthcare facilities, raising fears of a repeat of the Life Esidimeni tragedy, where 141 psychiatric patients died under inhumane conditions.
Following previous STEPUPSANEWS reports detailing the discovery of dagga and crystal meth among patients, as well as deteriorating infrastructure, further troubling information has emerged.
STEPUPSANEWS can confirm that:
Windows in some facilities are broken, exposing patients to harsh weather conditions.
Patients’ clothing is being hung on grass due to a lack of proper washing lines.
The concerns are particularly alarming given the scale of care at the Free State Psychiatric Complex (FSPC) in Bloemfontein — a major tertiary institution with a capacity of 877 beds, serving both the province and parts of the Northern Cape.
In addition to inpatients, the facility attends to approximately 495 adult and 430 child and adolescent outpatients per month, the facility also accommodates hundreds of patients across multiple units, including 470 beds for care and rehabilitation, 144 beds for state patients, 120 beds for long-term care, 68 beds for acute psychiatry, 55 beds for psycho-geriatric, and 20 beds for forensic services. placing further strain on already stretched resources.
Despite its critical role, the complex has reportedly experienced high occupancy rates, with some units, particularly forensic wards, facing overcrowding.
These conditions raise serious concerns about the dignity, safety, and quality of care provided to mental health patients.
Sources with intimate knowledge say the complex in highly understaffed and management is refusing to pay over time.
To put a cherry on top, patients food is delivered by a van that is used for rubbish.
This is a developing story.
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