A seven months pregnant woman identified as Refilwe Thamae, has reportedly committed suicide in a hospital bathroom at Kopanong District Hospital in Vererniging, Sedibeng.
According to the Gauteng Department of Health in South Africa
Thamae hanged herself with her scarf in a bathroom of the hospital on Saturday.
Spokesperson of the Gauteng Health Department, Motalatale Modiba, in a statement on Tuesday, September 12, described the incident as unfortunate.
ATTENTION: Click “HERE” to join our WhatsApp group and receive News updates directly on your WhatsApp!
Narrating the events that led to the incident, Modiba said the woman, who was 29 weeks pregnant, was brought to the hospital’s Accident and Emergency unit by emergency medical services personnel on Friday, September 8.
She was brought by her mother.
“Upon admission, the mother gave a background that the patient was displaying abnormal behavior which the Department cannot disclose due to patient-doctor confidentiality,” Modiba said.
“After diagnosis, she was then admitted at the maternity ward due to her being over seven months pregnant,” he said.
Modiba said the doctor prescribed sedation and restraints which were applied.
The patient was later nursed in a side ward due to her condition being triggered by crying babies.
During the early hours of Saturday, the nurses noticed that the patient was not in her bed. Upon looking for her, they discovered her body hanging in the bathroom with her headscarf.
Modiba added that the incident was reported to the SA Police Service (SAPS) and an inquest had been opened.
“The Gauteng Department of Health’s Quality Assurance unit will also conduct an internal investigation, as this case is regarded as a Patient Safety Incident”.
The internal processes are expected to take not more than 60 days to conclude.
Modiba said this was independent of the SAPS investigation.
“The Department has already conveyed its condolences to the bereaved family of the patient and has arranged counselling services for both the family and staff at the Kopanong District Hospital,” he added.
