Decomposing Body Of Patient Found In South African Hospital

A shocking discovery has been made at a South African hospital where the body of a patient admitted on Christmas Eve day was found in a decomposed state five days later.

The Witness reported that the discovery was made in the Eastern Cape town of Lusikisiki. Provincial Health spokesman Sizwe Kupelo said:

To discover a body that is decomposing five days later because of the smell shows that there is a serious lapse in cleaning services and hygiene at the hospital. It is unacceptable. At this stage of our investigation it appears that some staff members were indeed negligent. And they will have to pay the price if they are found guilty.

Reports have not identified the 60-year-old man or his illness, but he arrived at the Saint Elizabeth Regional Hospital at 10 A.M. on Christmas Eve day where he was examined by a nurse and then by a doctor. When the man’s worried family went to find out what was happening at the hospital, they found the name they gave for him was not the same as in the hospital record. His decomposing body was found locked in a consulting room on a hospital bed after staff noticed a bad smell and investigated. Meanwhile Times Live says the Provincial official responsible, Phumulo Masualle, is demanding answers about how such a thing could have happened. Health spokesman Kupelo said:

No stones will be left unturned and that the department would take action against those implicated.

The Eastern Cape is one of South Africa’s poorest provinces, with a high incidence of HIV-AIDS. It is also known for its scenic beauty and that its capital Mthatha (Umtata) is the home of former president Nelson Mandela.