Meghalaya: 26-Yr-Old Commits Suicide at Bethany Hospital after State Reports 1st Positive Case

Shillong, April 14, 2020:

A 26-year-old youth reportedly committed suicide at Bethany Hospital, Shillong hours after the first case of Meghalaya was reported.

While speaking with Inside Northeast, the receptionist of Bethany Hospital, Jangam Lu, said, "He came for his withdrawal symptoms. He was a psychiatric patient. We don't know the reason yet but just that he is not that sound. It was around night time when we committed suicide. He was with his aunty. Suddenly, she noted that he was missing for a long time and they started searching the entire hospital. Meanwhile, the COVID-19 patients were also here."

Confirming his suicide report, Dr Pakha Tesia, who was handling the youth's case, said that he was under substance abuse and that he had come to the Hospital for detoxification. "His was a substance abuse case. He was admitted here last week for detoxification. Unfortunately, today morning we found his dead body in the drain.

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On questioning whether the suicide was due to the coronavirus fear, Dr Tesia said, "We can't really say that. The condition is such that fear is everywhere. We're still trying to figure out what happened exactly."

Another local, Vicky informed that the youth was scared of the COVID situation. "He wanted to go out of the Hospital in fear. He was agitated and scared at the same time, which led him to commit suicide. He jumped off the building and fell directly in the drain down the Hospital. He died on the spot," he said.

He also informed that the people who have been in contact with anyone from the Bethany Hospital have been kept in the Committee Hall, which is close to the Beat House Police Station.

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It may be mentioned here that Meghalaya reported its first positive case of the virus from the Bethany Hospital. A 69-year-old Doctor was detected positive on Monday.

A notice issued by the State Government read, "If you visited Bethany Hospital Shillong on or after 22nd March, 2020 or Bethany Hospital Nongpoh on or after 30th March, 2020 kindly take the following steps: 1. Call 108 or, 2. Register yourself at www.meghalayaonline.gov.in/covid. You and your family should self-quarantine at home. We will get in touch with you."

The Shillong Agglomeration has been closed for two days starting from 6 AM, April 14. Meghalaya Chief Minister Conrad Sangma informed that the Bethany Hospital has been completely quarantined and closed down.

It may be added here that Meghalaya has restricted inter-State movement and all the entry/exit points will continue to remained sealed throughout Meghalaya.

On the basis of inputs received from deputy commissioners of different districts across the

state, the cabinet also decided that inter-district movement will not be allowed until such time as the Government feels necessary to lift the restrictions. However, migrant workers from within the state stranded in different locations in the state due to restrictions on inter-district travel will be allowed to return back to their respective homes in different parts of the state. Their transportation will be monitored by the State Transport Department along with deputy commissioners of concerned districts.

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Meanwhile, the districts of Meghalaya which share an inter-state boundary with Assam which has reported that most number of cases, the respective deputy commissioners have been entrusted to examine the feasibility of the resumption of such local village markets.

The cabinet after a thorough discussion and feedback taken from different deputy

commissioners and senior government functionaries has reviewed its decision to allow

plying of private transport within the state. Restrictions on private transport in urban areas of the state will remain until further orders.

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