Mental health patient killed in hospital fire
A 35-year-old female patient at the Dr George Mukhari Academic Hospital in Ga-Rankuwa has succumbed to her injuries following a fire at the hospital on Monday evening.
The fire broke out in the seclusion room of the female psychiatric unit.
The mental healthcare patient was admitted to the hospital on Thursday and was placed in a seclusion room on Monday as part of her prescribed treatment.
Gauteng health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba says immediate actions were taken to safeguard the safety and well-being of patients when the smoke was detected.
"The fire was quickly contained and extinguished by the fire brigade, but unfortunately the patient in the seclusion room sustained fatal injuries.
"Seventeen other patients in the unit were successfully evacuated and temporarily relocated to a different wing of the psychiatric department as a precautionary measure."
Modiba adds that the cause of the fire is still unknown.
"The incident has been reported to the South African Police Service for further investigation. The department wishes to extend our deepest condolences to the patient's family as they mourn the sudden passing of their daughter. Both the bereaved family and the families of the 17 patients will be taken through a debriefing. Counselling services will also be made available to them."
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