The police have launched an investigation into the death of a 36-year-old woman who died in an apparent suicide at George Mukhari Academic Hospital yesterday. It's reported that the woman committed suicide using a cellphone charger in the bathroom.

SUICIDE

Health spokesperson Khutso Rabothata said the Gauteng Department of Health was deeply saddened and shocked by the incident. "The patient had been admitted to the hospital on 21 September 2024 and was receiving care in the hospital's ward 37. On Monday, 23 September 2024, at approximately 13:00, a nurse making her rounds noticed that a bathroom door was locked," said Rabothata. He said after knocking several times without a response, the nurse requested assistance from another nurse to break the door. "The two nurses forcefully opened the door and devastatingly discovered the patient hanging on a cellphone charger cable. Immediate efforts to resuscitate her were undertaken, and a doctor was called to the scene and subsequently certified her dead."

POLICE INVESTIGATING THE MATTER

Rabothata said the hospital staff were deeply affected by the traumatic experience and are receiving counselling and support. "The South African Police Service (SAPS) has been informed and is currently investigating the matter. GDoH extends its deepest condolences to the family of the deceased during this difficult time. The department remains committed to providing compassionate and safe health care and will continue to work toward preventing such incidents from occurring in the future," Rabothata said. Earlier this year, a psychiatric patient who was admitted to the same hospital died when the isolation ward she was kept in caught fire.