Moffat Mungazi
Ray Bande
Senior Reporter
A HEARTBREAKING incident occurred at Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital recently, where a 68-year-old cancer patient, exhausted by the agony of his illness, made the desperate decision to end his life.
The patient slipped out of the hospital ward, seeking a tragic escape from his suffering.
The hospital’s medical superintendent, Dr Hilary Makiwa, on Tuesday confirmed the devastating event, expressing shock and sorrow felt by the hospital staff.
While loss of a patient’s life is always a difficult experience for healthcare professionals, the fact that the patient in question sneaked out of the ward to end his life was unexpected.
Dr Makiwa described the incident as “very disturbing,” adding: “We were all shocked by the outcome,” he said, referring further questions to Victoria Chitepo Provincial Hospital matron, Mrs Shella Chimbetete.
Mrs Chimbetete said the 68-year-old patient, Slyvester Magoto, had been admitted for treatment of cancer and hypertension when he disappeared.
“Mr Magoto, a 68-year-old patient, was admitted to the male surgical ward on December 13, 2024 at 4:40pm. He had been diagnosed with bladder cancer and was undergoing treatment for hypertension,” she explained, adding that Mr Magoto went missing the following day.
“On December 14, around 7pm, Mr Magoto was reported missing. A thorough search was conducted in and around the hospital, but he was nowhere to be found. The hospital’s police post, relatives, and management team were promptly informed, and the search continued; unfortunately, Mr Magoto remained unaccounted for,” she said.
Mrs Chimbetete revealed that, tragically, Mr Magoto’s lifeless body was eventually found after two weeks.
“On December 16, we filed a formal report with Mutare Central Police, who advised us to follow-up after seven days if Mr Magoto remained missing. The search continued, aided by relatives and law enforcement agents. Unfortunately, Mr Magoto remained missing for two weeks, until we received the devastating news that his body had been discovered,” she said.
Mrs Chimbetete extended her heartfelt condolences to the grieving family.
“We offer our sincerest sympathies to Mr Magoto’s loved ones. May his soul rest in eternal peace,” she said.
Sources privy to the developments called for enhanced patient monitoring, saying regular checks on vulnerable patients, especially those with life-threatening conditions, can help prevent similar incidents.
They also called for improved hospital security such as reviewing and strengthening hospital security measures, such as CCTV cameras and access controls, which can help prevent patients from leaving the premises unnoticed while increased support for patients and families through providing emotional support and counselling services can help alleviate feelings of desperation and hopelessness.
Effort to get a comment from the grieving family at the time of going to print were fruitless.
