Nineteen tuberculosis patients have escaped from the Jose Pearson TB hospital in Port Elizabeth, the Eastern Cape Health Department said on Sunday.
”The patients escaped yesterday [Saturday] after a security guard allegedly allowed one patient to go shopping … we are worried that they may put others at risk,” said spokesperson Sizwe Kupela.
He said the 19 demanded that they be let out of the hospital, and then managed to overpower security guards and fled.
”We have sent people in to investigate what happened at the hospital … anyone who may have assisted in their escape will be dealt with.
”We are in contact with the relatives of those patients who escaped.
”Families of three of the patients have already confirmed that they have returned home and will bring them back to the hospital.”
He said that a search was still on for the 16 others.
”We appeal to these patients to return to the hospital as they need to take their proper medication and look after themselves.”
Kupela said he was not sure why the patients wanted to leave the hospital, and the search would continue. – Sapa