Pretoria - Gauteng MEC for Health and Social Development, Ntombi Mekgwe has sent condolences to the family of a patient who is alleged to have jumped from the 9th floor at the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital in Johannesburg morning.
"What happened is a tragedy and our sympathies are with the family at this traumatic and difficult moment," the MEC said.
An initial investigation has revealed that the patient, a 53 year-old female, had allegedly jumped from the toilet at the 9th floor of the Hospital.
She was, on a previous occasion, admitted at the surgical unit of the hospital for entero-cutenous fistula, which is an opening of the bowel to the skin.
She was surgically operated at the hospital but returned on Friday, complaining of severe pain.
The patient's father and two sisters were briefed by the hospital management and doctors this morning.
Police and the department have initiated investigations to determine the circumstance surrounding the incident.
The family will continue to receive support and psycho social counseling from the hospital.
