United Christian Hospital says it is very concerned about the welfare of a 15-year-old girl, who left its gynaecology ward on Thursday evening without notifying staff.

A hospital spokesman said the girl, who has a tendency to self harm, had cut and disposed of her wrist band and left the ward with a friend at about 7.30 pm. He said security guards went to look for her, both inside the hospital compound and nearby, and that police had been informed.

The spokesman described the girl as being about 1.6 metres tall, thin, and with long black hair.

According to CCTV footage, she was wearing a white T-shirt, blue short jeans, and white shoes when she left the hospital.