In separate incidents on Wednesday, two men who were admitted to the COVID-19 wing of the Government Medical College Hospital here were found hanging in their rooms. Suicide is suspected in both cases.
Both men belong to Thiruvananthapuram district.
A 33-year-old man from Anad, who left the hospital on Tuesday without informing the authorities but was brought back later in the day, was found hanging in the isolation room around 11.30 a.m. A 38-year-old man from Nedumangad, who was under observation for COVID-19, was found hanging in his room around 5 p.m., hospital sources said.
Health Minister K.K. Shylaja has directed the Principal Secretary (Health) to carry out an investigation into the two incidents. She termed the incidents unfortunate, but promised stern action if lapses were detected.
Scheduled for discharge
The patient from Anad was reportedly scheduled for discharge on Wednesday after his test results returned negative. Although he was rushed to the critical care unit, his life could not be saved.
The Nedumangad native had been admitted to the hospital in the early hours of Wednesday.
The second death was reported barely hours after the Minister and the Kerala State Human Rights Commission separately ordered probe into the death of the Anad man. The SHRC, which suo motu registered a case, has sought reports from the Superintendent, Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, and the Director of Medical Education.
The patient from Anad had given anxious moments to hospital authorities on Tuesday after he left the hospital. He had managed to reach Anad by a KSRTC bus, but was detained by local residents who notified the authorities. Subsequently, health workers returned him to the hospital. The patient had travelled to Tamil Nadu on May 27. The next day, he was admitted first to the District Hospital, Nedumangad, and then to the Medical College Hospital after he collapsed while having a drink with friends.
Alerted by neighbours
Reportedly, the patient from Nedumangad also had travelled to Tamil Nadu. He had returned home on Tuesday night, but local people had alerted the authorities, after which he was admitted to the hospital.
(Suicide Prevention Helpline: Disha - 1056, 0471-2552056)
