Mental patient drowns after escaping from hospital 

Source: Mental patient drowns after escaping from hospital – NewsDay Zimbabwe

BY SHARON BUWERIMWE
A mental patient from Harare drowned while trying to cross the flooded Tugwi River in Bangomwe after escaping from Ngomahuru Psychiatric Hospital in Masvingo.

In January, another mental patient was attacked and killed by a crocodile while trying to cross the river after escaping from the hospital.

In the latest incident, sources said Douglas Kamoto escaped from the holding centre on Thursday last week. His body was later found a few kilometres away from the river.

Masvingo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Kudakwashe Dhewa said he had not received the report when contacted for comment.

A doctor at Ngomahuru Hospital however confirmed the incident.

“We have informed his parents and at the moment his body is at Masvingo mortuary since we don’t have the facility here at Ngomahuru. The parents have been given two days to come and collect his body since Masvingo mortuary is also full,” the doctor speaking on condition of anonymity said.

He said a lot of patients have been escaping the facility of late.

“There are various reasons why these patients are escaping including food shortages, no water for the past seven days, outbreak of lice, sewage blockages, ceiling very old pieces falling down daily, no drugs, and no adequate stuff.”