Mental hospital crippled by staff shortage

Hospital Superintendent Dr Mpho Thula, said during an open day celebration over the weekend that about half of all psychiatric admissions in the country take place at Sbrana Hospital, which has a critical shortage of specialists. The hospital lacks clinical psychologists and psychiatric nurses needed to handle the patient load, he said.

"The low number of psychologists is limiting our capacity to provide essential services such as substance abuse treatment and to appropriately intervene early in cases of emotional distress which warrant psychological support," he said. He said two wards in the hospital - the children and adolescent and the private ward - are yet to function because of shortage of nurses.