My schizophrenic brother was admitted to Helen Joseph with a suspected bleeding ulcer.  He received care that I would estimate was close to that of a private hospital.  They ensured he got his medication on time, I never saw him with a empty drip and he was fed the appropriate diet.  As he was being non-compliant in terms of leaving his bed and smoking, they had to restrain him at night.  This was done with gentleness and concern for his dignity.  The hospital is old and shabby, but the kitchens and bathrooms were spotlessly clean.  I was impressed with what the staff managed with limited resources.

On the other side of the coin, I am eternally grateful that we have him in private care and that he did not get caught up in the Life Esidimeni tragedy.  

Perhaps it is that each area of the Gauteng health care system has its heroes and its zeroes, and you just have to hope you get lucky and get a hero.