10 TB patients back at hospital

2008-06-16 14:14

Johannesburg - Ten out of 19 patients who escaped from the Jose Pearson TB hospital in Port Elizabeth have been found and are back on treatment - but nine others are still missing, the Eastern Cape Health Department said on Monday.

"Police and a special task team were sent out to find the patients who escaped on Saturday; we are glad they have been found, as they may have put others at risk," said spokesperson Sizwe Kupela.

He said the families of three patients who returned home after escaping, brought them back to the hospital, and police and the special task team found seven others, on Sunday.

"We are not sure where the seven were found, but they did not resist and seem to be in good health."

The 19 patients escaped on Saturday after a security guard who has since been suspended, allegedly allowed one patient to go shopping.

Others then demanded that they also be let out of the hospital, and overpowered security guards. Kupela said the task team and police were still searching for the remaining nine patients. "They will wear protective gear when looking for the patients, to avoid infection.

"We have also sent people in to investigate what happened at the hospital ... anyone who may have assisted in their escape will be dealt with."

Kupela said he was not sure why the patients wanted to leave the hospital, and appealed to the public to come forward if they had any information of the whereabouts of the missing nine patients.

- SAPA