Mulago must explain suicide deaths
Sep 19, 2011
MULAGO hospital authorities should explain the circumstances under which two people died in a septic tank and an open sewer in a space of just two days.
MULAGO hospital authorities should explain the circumstances under which two people died in a septic tank and an open sewer in a space of just two days.
The Police should also pick interest in the case with a view to finding out whether the deaths were not a result of negligence on the part of some hospital officials.
Reports indicate that the patient who died in the septic tank in a suspected suicide case had, the day before, attempted to plunge into another open septic tank at the hospital but was only restrained by fellow patients.
The fact that it was other patients that acted indicates there was no hospital staff around. Suicide is an offence under Ugandan laws. Therefore, such a patient should have ordinarily been counselled, reported to the Police and put under surveillance until discharged.
Mulago records suicide cases almost on a yearly basis but no detailed reports have ever been produced on the causes, leading to speculation that the victims take their lives as a result of frustration over lack of attention or poor services at the hospital.
The second death in an open sewer, of a suspected epileptic patient, further calls to question the effectiveness of the hospital estates department. Septic tanks are supposed to be covered.
It is also poor planning to have an open sewer in a public place. If it was inevitable to have an open sewer at Mulago, then basic safety precautions, like having it fenced off, should have been taken. It was, therefore, insensitive for Mulago to blame the deaths on the carelessness of the victims.
For one person to die could be an accident, but not two people in a week. A thorough probe should be conducted and Mulago owes the public an explanation.
The Police should also pick interest in the case with a view to finding out whether the deaths were not a result of negligence on the part of some hospital officials.
Reports indicate that the patient who died in the septic tank in a suspected suicide case had, the day before, attempted to plunge into another open septic tank at the hospital but was only restrained by fellow patients.
The fact that it was other patients that acted indicates there was no hospital staff around. Suicide is an offence under Ugandan laws. Therefore, such a patient should have ordinarily been counselled, reported to the Police and put under surveillance until discharged.
Mulago records suicide cases almost on a yearly basis but no detailed reports have ever been produced on the causes, leading to speculation that the victims take their lives as a result of frustration over lack of attention or poor services at the hospital.
The second death in an open sewer, of a suspected epileptic patient, further calls to question the effectiveness of the hospital estates department. Septic tanks are supposed to be covered.
It is also poor planning to have an open sewer in a public place. If it was inevitable to have an open sewer at Mulago, then basic safety precautions, like having it fenced off, should have been taken. It was, therefore, insensitive for Mulago to blame the deaths on the carelessness of the victims.
For one person to die could be an accident, but not two people in a week. A thorough probe should be conducted and Mulago owes the public an explanation.