THOHOYANDOU - Health and Welfare MEC Sello Moloto slammed parents who are still abusing grants of mentally ill patients, during the family day held at the Hayani hospital last Saturday.

Moloto said that his department has heard of many cases where the grants for disabled patients are not used for the purposes of taking care of their physical and emotional needs. "People take those grants and buy themselves clothes, groceries which they do not share with them, or pay their instalments, when the beneficiary walks almost naked, barefooted, dirty and hungry, without a proper place to sleep," Moloto said.

According to MEC Moloto, today the Hayani hospital and Xiluvani hospital are on the verge of becoming centers of excellence. He said that people with disabilities are discriminated against at school, in families and at workplaces.

He stated that his department would co-operate with traditional leaders in treating the mentally ill patients. "We are impressed with a report that during the months of August and September, 29 territorial councils received special briefing sessions on mental health from the Hayani staff and that they are well on board," said Moloto.

According to him municipalities are involved in programs of allocating low cost houses to provide decent accommodation for our patients when they are discharged.

Moloto also thanked businessmen for their partnerships with the Department of Health. Through such a partnership, four houses were built at Hamanenzhe for patients.

He said that the primary objectives of Hayani is not to be a permanent home to any patient; "we want to treat them and re-integrate them back into their families and communities."