Two mental healthcare patients have tragically lost their lives at the Philadelphia Hospital in the Sekhukhune District of Limpopo.

On Saturday morning, the Limpopo provincial government said it is “deeply saddened” about the incident, and circumstances around the tragedy are still sketchy.

“In response to this incident, the MEC for Health, Dieketseng Mashego is en route to the hospital to gather further details and to assess the situation firsthand. The police are currently on the scene,” said Thilivhali Muavha, spokesperson for Limpopo Premier Phophi Ramathuba.

Muavha said the provincial department of health will provide updates on the situation as more information becomes available.

“The provincial government’s primary concern is the well-being of the patients and the families involved and urges the community to remain calm as the province navigates this unfortunate event,” said Muavha.

Earlier this week, IOL reported that a Gauteng-based home for mentally challenged children and adults stated that the 21 deaths recorded in 24 months were 'normal' and expected due to the operating environment.

This comes as the facility is being accused of a spate of human rights violations against its vulnerable patients and some of its current and former employees.

Some of the recently dismissed former employees say they are worried that yet another Life Esidimeni tragedy is on the cards if nothing is done to stop the multiple alleged human rights transgressions at the Little Eden Society.

Little Eden Society, an assisted-living facility for people with intellectual disabilities in Edenvale and Bapsfontein, in Ekurhuleni which has been in operation for more than 50 years, is accused of failure and lack of empathy extended to more than 300 of its mentally challenged full time patients.

This CEO is also accused of creating a toxic culture which saw the purging of more than five black staffers since she took over.

jonisayi.maromo@iol.co.za

IOL