The Free State Department of Health has launched an investigation into the death of a four-year-old girl, who died after having a tooth pulled out at Botshabelo District Hospital earlier this month.
The Citizen reports that the orthodontic department was temporarily closed, with Health MEC Monyatso Viceroy Mahlatsi calling the tragedy an “unusual” occurrence, “considering the hospital has been extracting children’s teeth for nearly four years”.
A thorough investigation was under way, Mahlatsi said, adding that they were “in the dark” about what had caused the death.
Department spokesperson Mondli Mvambi said the hospital was doing everything possible to get to the bottom of the matter, “so that the family can get answers and the clinicians can also clearly understand what may have gone wrong”.
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