Publication: The Star Issued: Date: 2007-02-13 Reporter: Greg Arde

Balfour Set to Review 'Suicidal' Shaik's Diagnosis

 

Publication 

The Star
Date

2007-02-13

Reporter

 Greg Ardé

Web Link

www.thestar.co.za

 

Schabir Shaik's psychiatrist stands by his diagnosis of the convicted fraudster - and he has welcomed a second medical opinion which has been ordered by Minister of Correctional Services Ngconde Balfour.

Professor A S Gangat has been in private practice since 1965 and is attached to the Nelson R Mandela School of Medicine as an examiner. Last week, correspondence between the psychiatrist and the department was made public, in which Gangat described Shaik as a "severe suicide risk".

Gangat said yesterday: "The minister (Balfour) is welcome to do that (review the diagnosis). I'm managing the patient and believe the diagnosis is as accurate as my ability allows me (to be). It is based on sound medical principles. He (Shaik) requires treatment in the present medical facility (St Augustine's Hospital in Durban)."

Gangat said he had been asked by Correctional Services for a report on Shaik's condition and had provided this with his patient's blessing.

In a weekend press report, Gangat is quoted as saying: "He (Shaik) entertains suicidal thoughts all the time. He verbalises his feelings by stating: 'I believe I would be better off dead than alive'. He thus poses a severe suicide risk, which can best be monitored in a private hospital, where nursing care is available 24 hours a day and where I can attend to emergency crisis intervention."

Balfour's office said it expected a second opinion on Shaik's condition before the end of the week.

Spokesperson Luphumzo Kebeni said this would determine whether the fraudster's 77-day sojourn at St Augustine's would be extended or whether he would be sent packing to Qalakabusha Prison in Empangeni to serve his 15-year jail term.

Kebeni said Balfour would put reports compiled by Gangat, cardiologist Fazul Tayob and physician A S Gaffoor before a panel of doctors. "He (Balfour) is going to get a second opinion this week."

Initially the Judicial Inspectorate of Prisons had said it was unlikely to get a second opinion on Shaik.

A few weeks ago, the inspectorate's Gideon Morris had explained: "If we were to get another medical opinion on his condition that went against them, what would the accountability of the state be if he died *1 (if he were removed from St Augustine's)?

"It is difficult. What is the right thing to do? We feel strongly that prisoners (who can afford it) should not be denied access to private medical care."

Discovery medical aid told Sunday newspapers that it was questioning payments of more than R150 000 for Shaik from the scheme to St Augustine's.

In addition to depression and anxiety, Shaik is being treated for hypertension.

Gangat said of Balfour's inquiry: "In light of the outcry, it seems the minister is encouraged to get a second opinion - in view of the reports that Mr Shaik should not be in a private hospital. I guess he's doing his job."

With acknowledgement to Greg Ardé and The Star.


*1       It is clear that this patient is unlikely to die of swollen gums or high blood pressure. By far the highest risk of him dying is suicide caused by depression and anxiety. And the depression and anxiety are caused by being in prison. So to avoid him dying, the answer is to keep him out of prison.

But what of the tens of thousands of other prisoners who also suffer from depression and anxiety caused by them being in prison. Most of them don't have the money or the pre-paid medical scheme to pay for private hospitalisation until the depression and anxiety are cured. Because it can't be cured.

South Africa needs to jack up its prisons so that everyone in there is safe from molestation and abuse, that they get three proper and nourishing meals per day, some exercise for their bodies and plenty exercise for their brains.

Until Correctional Services can get this right Schabir should be allowed to stay in a private hospital; at least the hospital and three medical specialists are making alot of money out of it. They pay taxes and staff and these other staff pay taxes. So all the ill-gotten gains from the Prodiba drivers licence and N3 toll concession money printing machines don't all go to Mac Maharaj, but instead get filtered back into the economy.

There are so many white collar criminals in this country today that a special private hospital for highbrow prisoners could be built where, instead of the Asset Forfeiture Unit confiscating all these criminals' proceeds of crime, they could pay it back through hospitalisation, medical and guarding fees. But the quid pro quo is that they don't get any time off for any reason whatsoever, - not even one day.

I for one would be quite happy to see Schabir, Chippy, Jacob Zuma and Alain Thetard sitting out 60 manyears in hospital with a gross income to the service providers of R136 968 750 (@ R6 250 per day).

There seems to be a business case - but is it just and equitable?