The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) today (17 October) took another significant step in addressing the challenge of unidentified bodies and unknown patients at provincial healthcare facilities.
The Department through its Forensic Pathology Service has rolled out the Digital Fingerprint System at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital.
This system, launched last year by MEC for Health and Wellness, Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko and Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi, uses advanced biometric technology to identify unknown patients.
It is linked to databases from the Department of Home Affairs and National Credit Bureaus, enabling quick verification of fingerprints.
This will ensure that families can be traced and locate their loved ones.
This system was demonstrated on Thursday morning at Tembisa Provincial Tertiary Hospital, where ten (10) unknown bodies were identified as part of training of the hospital staff to use the system.
