The Gauteng Department of Health has opened an inquest docket and conducting an internal investigation following the death of a 25-year-old pregnant patient.She allegedly committed suicide over the weekend at Kopanong District Hospital in Vereeniging.

According to the department, the 29-week pregnant woman was admitted last Friday after her mother brought her in noticing suspicious behaviour. "She was admitted in the maternity ward but later moved when nurses noticed that her behaviour was triggered by the sound of crying babies," said the department. Unfortunately, the patient was discovered hanging in the bathroom with her head scarf by nurses in the early hours of Saturday morning. Health Department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba said investigations are underway. "The unfortunate incident has been reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and they have already opened an inquest docket. The GDoH'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, independent of the SAPS investigation," Modiba said.

DA Health Shadow MEC Jack Bloom said the patient was supposed to be admitted in a psychiatric ward but that was not the case. "I am horrified by the reported suicide of a 26-year-old pregnant woman at the Kopanong Hospital in Vereeniging who was admitted for mental illness," said the DA's Jack Bloom. He said the incident happened just before World Suicide Prevention Day on 10 September. 

"Incompetence and misplaced priorities are to blame for the inadequate care of psychiatric patients at this hospital. When I visited in 2016, they had yet to finish a psychiatric ward that was supposed to be completed in 2007," he said.