Patient Jumps From Hospital Roof : After Violent Outburst at Chandannagar Subdistrict Hospital, Family Raises Security Concerns

Baby Chakraborty, KalimNews, Hooghly, November 18, 2024 : A tragic incident unfolded at Chandannagar Subdistrict Hospital on Sunday night, when a patient, identified as 43-year-old Prakash Chandra Bain, took his own life by jumping from the hospital roof. The death has raised serious questions about hospital security and the handling of patients with severe behavioral issues.

Prakash Chandra Bain, a resident of Murshidabad, had been admitted to the hospital late Friday night with symptoms of abdominal pain and vomiting blood. A driver by profession, Bain had been living in Mahadanga Colony, Chandannagar, for the past seven years. Hospital authorities confirmed that Bain had been receiving treatment for his condition when he suddenly became aggressive on Sunday night, leading to a disturbing sequence of events.

According to hospital staff and police sources, at around midnight on Sunday, Bain became uncontrollable and began displaying violent behavior. He allegedly seized a pair of scissors from the nurses' station and began threatening other patients and nurses. Bain entered the female medicine ward, terrorizing the staff and patients, before heading towards the nurses' room. From there, he climbed the stairs to the hospital roof and, despite efforts to contain him, jumped to his death.

In the chaos that ensued, no one dared approach Bain as he wielded the scissors and acted aggressively. After he fell, hospital staff rushed to his aid, and he was immediately treated in the emergency department before being transferred to the operation theater. Sadly, despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries around 3 a.m.

The incident has left the hospital staff and local authorities reeling, with Bain’s family members now questioning the safety protocols in place at the facility. The family, who arrived at the hospital shortly after the news of his death, expressed their concerns about the lack of adequate supervision and security, particularly at night. “There was no one else in the hospital to keep watch over him. If someone had been there, this tragedy could have been avoided,” one relative said.

Despite being immediately attended to by hospital staff and rushed back into the emergency department, Bain’s injuries were critical. He was transferred to the operation theater, but tragically, he succumbed to his injuries around 3 a.m. The news of his death sent shockwaves through both the hospital and his family, who were left devastated by the turn of events.

After the incident, Bain’s family members, who arrived at the hospital shortly after hearing the news, raised significant concerns about the safety and security protocols at the facility. They questioned why there had been no adequate supervision or security measures in place, particularly given Bain’s violent outburst. One family member expressed frustration, saying, “There was no one monitoring him properly, and if there had been, perhaps this tragedy could have been avoided. No one was around when he needed help the most, had there been someone there to intervene, it could have prevented the worst outcome.”

The family has also questioned the hospital’s handling of Bain’s medical condition. According to the family, the lack of oversight during a critical time may have contributed to his violent behavior. They argue that more could have been done to address his needs, especially considering his history of alcohol abuse.

In response to the incident, Hooghly District Chief Health Officer Mrigank Mauli Kar visited the hospital on Monday morning to assess the situation. Kar was accompanied by the hospital superintendent, Santu Ghosh, who was tasked with reviewing the events leading to Bain’s death. After inspecting the scene, Ghosh explained that Bain had been a chronic alcoholic, had become agitated due to the lack of alcohol in his system, which could have contributed to his aggressive and violent outburst was likely a result of withdrawal symptoms. “Bain had been admitted for treatment related to his condition, but alcohol withdrawal may have exacerbated his aggression,” Ghosh said. “In his agitated state, he managed to escape with scissors, frightening patients, before climbing to the roof.”

While alcohol withdrawal may have played a role in Bain’s behavior, the lack of proper security and supervision during such an event remains a major concern. The hospital staff’s inability to manage Bain’s outburst safely has led to calls for an internal review of hospital protocols, particularly in dealing with high-risk patients who may pose a danger to themselves or others.

As the investigation continues, Bain’s family has called for more stringent safety measures at the hospital, including better monitoring of patients with aggressive tendencies. “This incident highlights the need for stricter security, especially when handling patients with mental health issues or substance abuse problems.

The incident has also drawn public attention to broader concerns about the quality of medical facilities in the region. Locals are calling for improvements in the way hospitals deal with patients who are at risk of harming themselves or others. There are growing demands for better training for hospital staff to handle such situations, as well as the implementation of more robust security measures, especially during late-night shifts.

This tragic incident has left the community questioning whether adequate precautions are in place at Chandannagar Subdistrict Hospital and other similar facilities. Hospital security, patient supervision, and staff preparedness for handling violent or distressed individuals are now at the forefront of the discussion. Experts in healthcare and public safety are urging local authorities to implement stricter guidelines for handling high-risk patients, particularly those with mental health issues or substance abuse problems. The incident has also prompted a broader discussion about the need for better training of medical staff to handle behavioral emergencies and prevent such tragedies from happening again.

This devastating incident has not only left a family mourning the loss of a loved one but has also raised urgent questions about the standards of care and safety at public hospitals. As authorities work to investigate the specifics of what went wrong, the tragic death of Prakash Chandra Bain serves as a grim reminder of the potential dangers that can arise when hospitals are unprepared to handle complex patient needs.