Answers needed on Bara doctor beating teen
Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital hit by another scandal.
The Gauteng Health Department needs to provide answers on the alleged beating of a mentally ill 16-year-old boy at the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital that caused him to lose consciousness.
According to Democratic Alliances (DA) Gauteng Health Shadow MEC Jack Bloom said, “The boy was beaten so badly that he ended up lying on the floor in a pool of blood.
“His father was handed a tooth and told that his son lost it biting an elderly man who tried to help.
“Another accusation is that mentally ill patients are restrained with bandages that can cause nerve damage and bruising.
“The shortage of special padded restraints is scandalous and needs to be rectified as soon as possible.
“Mentally ill patients are very vulnerable and special care is needed in treating them with dignity.”
Bloom added that doctors may face provocations from mentally ill patients but violence against a patient should never be condoned.
“I will be asking questions in the Legislature about this incident and general conditions at the psychiatric unit at Bara Hospital,” Bloom said.
