A man with mental health issues succumbed on Wednesday to injuries sustained in an apparent beating after being admitted to the National Psychiatric Hospital several days ago.
The dead man has been identified as 32-year-old Dinesh Persaud of Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice. An autopsy performed on the body revealed that Persaud died from a fractured skull.
Police in a brief statement informed that Persaud was admitted as a patient on Monday last and was reportedly attacked by other patients. His parents were informed of the tragedy on Tuesday morning.
The deceased’s father, Davindra Persaud, 58, told investigators that his son along with his mother visited a private psychiatric clinic on Monday as he normally would. However, the doctor admitted him to the national mental health institution.
The elder Persaud related to reporters that his son at intervals would receive treatment at the hospital. He explained that whenever, he consumed alcohol, he suffered from seizures and would have to receive treatment.
He recalled that he spoke with his son on Tuesday when he delivered lunch and all seemed well. However, on Wednesday he received a call from the social worker at the hospital and was informed that his son had been transferred to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital.
After receiving the message, the family rushed to the health facility and made checks for him. During their search, they were informed by a doctor that he had died.
The father believes that his son was beaten to death but the social worker did not inform them of the tragedy.
Aside from the post-mortem showing the younger Persaud dying from a fractured skull, his body bore multiple marks of violence.
The father said that when he contacted the hospital administration, he was only told that the matter is in the hands of the police.
Whilst calling for justice, the father also questioned the whereabouts of the staff at the facility at the time his son came under attack.
Efforts by this newspaper to contact the Director of Regional Health Services, Dr Vishalya Sharma, were unsuccessful.
