The situation at the Hayani Psychiatric Hospital in Vhembe outside Thohoyandou in Limpopo is a nightmare. The facility has a shortage of beds as discharged patients with nowhere to go remain in the hospital. It is also forced to turn some patients away because of the bed shortage.

Hayani’s Communications Manager, Fhatuwani Tshindane, revealed families of discharged patients often refuse to take them back.

“The hospital is the one which is left to bear the brunt due to overcrowding. We often cannot take more new patients due to this issue of non-acceptance. It means that we are forced to keep discharged and recovered patients under our care at the hospital while we try to negotiate their way back into their families and local communities,” said Tshindane.

South Africans observe Mental Illness Awareness Month in July to raise awareness. 

Overcrowding takes its toll

According to Tshindane, patients cleared to return home occupy almost 15-20% of the hospital’s beds. This makes it difficult to accommodate any new mentally ill patients.

“Almost one in five patients have been rejected by their families. But we are doing our best to reunite them with their relatives so they can continue living their normal lives,” said Tshindane. 

The World Health Organisation (WHO) states that despite progress in some countries, people with mental health conditions often experience severe human rights violations, discrimination, and stigma.

Backlogs inevitable

Tshindane said there is a backlog due to the non-acceptance of discharged patients.

“People who are due for a mental evaluation are being held within our local prisons. However, we are unable to take them in. Our healthcare workers are forced to go and evaluate them at the correctional facilities,” stated Tshindane.

Tshindane also said family members gave several reasons they are reluctant to allow them back.

“Some of them expressed fear because they are violent or have committed. We understand their frustrations, but once we’ve decided to discharge a patient, it means that we have fully assessed them,” Tshindane said

‘Painful to see patients suffer’

According to Hayani Psychiatric Hospital CEO Dr Ndidzulafhi Mukwevho, rejected patients are often left with little hope of returning home.

“It is so painful having to tell a patient that ‘you can’t go home because your relatives don’t want you’. And as a hospital, we are forced to keep recovered patients under our care. There is nothing left to do but negotiate with their family members. There’s also a risk of patients relapsing on their medication because they think no one cares about them,” said Mukwevho. 

Lack of family support

Mukwevho also shared how family members never visit their loved ones in the hospital. 

“Family support is everything. It is so painful knowing that some patients have been here with us for months, but no one from their families has ever visited them. The support of one’s family is important for a patient’s recovery,” said Mukwevho.

Tshindane said the hospital plans to raise awareness this month by holding several talks within communities in the Vhembe district. – Health-e News