Pretoria – An investigation has been launched by Gauteng MEC for Health Hope Papo following an alleged suicide by a patient at the Helen Joseph Tertiary Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday.
According to the provincial department, it is believed that the patient, who was being treated for organophosphate poisoning after drinking herbal medicine and excessive alcohol at home, jumped from the 7th floor and died from his injuries.
He was brought to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency Unit last Saturday where he was resuscitated to save his life. He was then taken to the Intensive Care Unit where he was closely monitored until Monday, when he was moved to a medical ward.
Hospital CEO Dr Raymond Billa said: “The nurses last saw him at about 5:30am when he was going to the bathroom. After about 20 minutes, the nurses noted that he was not back in his bed and they knocked in the bathroom.
“When there was no response, they opened the door and noted that he was not there and the window was opened. As hospital staff searched for the patient, a cleaner saw a body lying on the ground floor and immediately alerted the nurses and security.”
Police were called to the scene and they have initiated a forensic investigation.
Papo has instructed the quality assurance team from the department’s head office to conduct an immediate investigation and provide a report to him as soon as possible.
Hospital personnel have also been instructed to co-operate with the police investigation.
The MEC said: “This is a tragic incident that must be investigated in detail to provide us with full information about how it happened and whether it could have been prevented.
“Our condolences will be conveyed to the family and we would like to assure the people of Gauteng that there will be a thorough investigation".
The patient’s family has been called to the hospital for a briefing and they will be offered psycho-social support to assist them in dealing with their loss.
The staff members who also witnessed the incident will also be offered counselling to help them deal with the trauma. – SAnews.gov.za
