Patient escapes from SMCH's Covid ward, stops at tea stall, uses public transport to go to in-laws, detained by Police

Swapan Kumar Paul (55), a resident of Karimganj who recently contracted covid came to Silchar Medical College and Hospital for treatment. However, he suddenly escaped from the hospital on Sunday morning. He slipped out and went straight to the street. From there he called his family members and as the family members did not respond to him, he went to his father-in-law’s house in Bhanga area of ​​Karimganj without their knowledge. Meanwhile, Silchar Medical College and Hospital appealed to the police to search for him. 

He was finally brought back to Silchar Medical College and Hospital in an ambulance by the joint efforts of Cachar and Karimganj police.

Silchar Medical College and Hospital authorities said, “He was able to get out of the ward by going to the bathroom in the morning. His body was already weak and he has become even weaker now. He has been kept in the ICU ward of the hospital. At the same time, it has been explained that by doing so, he put himself and his family in danger. Since he could not be found, an FIR was filed seeking police assistance.”

The incident has raised many questions, how did a patient get out on the street by evading the hospital security system? Leaving Covid Ward, he called the people of his house at a tea stall near SMCH and then went to Bhanga, Karimganj using a public transport. In the process he not only endangered the lives of his family members but also of the tea stall owners, auto drivers and possibly hundreds who came into direct exposure with him.

Why did 55-year-old Swapan Kumar Paul do that? It is unbeknown at the moment but many say he was mentally pained at the covid ward. So far, many have complained of being subjected to various forms of mental and physical abuse inside the covid ward.

Even after the death of a patient few days back, valuables from his body were stolen and the medical authorities did not take any action in this regard. Whatever the reason, Swapan Kumar Paul has finally returned to the ward and it is wished that he recovers soon.