A fight broke out between Inzamul Haque and Nazmul Islam, a psychiatric patient admitted with schizophrenia in Pabna Mental Hospital. Inzamul died. Nazmul was injured. Both are patients of the high-risk ward number 6 of the hospital.
A fight broke out in the residential ward of the hospital in the wee hours of Wednesday (June 3). The hospital authorities tried to cover up the matter but to no avail. The matter was announced on Sunday (07 June) afternoon.
Hospital director Dr. Shafqat Wahid confirmed the truth of this incident. The victim's family has raised questions about the safety of the patients and the responsibility of the authorities.
According to the victim's family and hospital sources, on June 2, Nazmul Islam (28), son of Abdul Malek of Chhanakhali village of Ullapara upazila of Sirajganj, and Inzamul Haque (26), son of deceased Ghulam Nabi of Rajnagar village of Jhenaidah, were admitted to high-risk ward number 6 on June 2. Then Nazmul and Inzamul got involved in a fight around 3 pm. At one stage, Inzamul Haque died due to a head injury. Nazmul was also seriously injured.
Inzamul's brother Ijazul Haque accused Nazmul and filed a case at Pabna Sadar police station on June 3.
Nazmul's wife Bilkis Khatun, accused in the murder, said, “My husband has been ill for five long years. Lately his behavior was becoming unbearable for us. Looking at the child's face, I admitted him to the hospital to heal him, now he is accused of murder.
She added, “When I admitted my husband, it was made clear that he could sometimes get agitated and lash out.” Accordingly, he was admitted to the hospital. If they could not handle the patient, they could have told us directly. We would have taken other measures.”
Rekha Akhter, Nursing Superintendent of Pabna Mental Hospital, said, “Many times the patients seem normal but they suddenly start behaving violently. In such a situation, it is not possible for one or two nurses to control the patient.
He also said that there is an acute shortage of male service workers in the hospital. There is no separate training or risk allowance for handling mental patients. So, despite the good will, it is not possible to provide the expected service.
Dr. Pabna Mental Hospital director expressed helplessness. Shafqat Wahid said that the patients who fought, have been treated in the hospital before. As the incident took place late at night, no one understood. The death is unexpected and tragic. Hospitals do not have isolation facilities for high-risk patients. It is very difficult to control such situation with limited manpower.
Pabna Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) ASM Moniruzzaman said that since the accused person is also mentally ill. So after filing the case letter has been given to the court and mental hospital authorities. Further legal action will be taken after getting the instructions or what to do from there.
Pabna Additional Superintendent of Police Razinur Rahman said, apart from the legal process, the patient's mental illness and the circumstances surrounding the incident will be verified and an investigation report will be given quickly.
