Mental hospital inmate gets violent, stabs nurse in Thane

Mumbai: An inmate of the state—run Thane Mental Hospital assaulted a male nurse, Datta Bhurkhunde (47) with a dressing scissor on Wednesday evening. Mr. Bhurkhande was serving tea to the patient, who got violent and stabbed him with the scissor. The nurse, who suffered cuts in his neck, was rushed to the state—run Thane Civil Hospital. Doctors attending to Mr Bhurkhunde said he would be discharged in two days.

While recalling the incident, Mr Bhurkunde told The Asian Age, “ I was on duty serving tea to all patients. This patient suddenly came to me and I thought he wanted tea so I turned back and within seconds he stabbed on my neck.”

“Before I could do anything the patient got infuriated and hurt me. I was bleeding copiously. I am serving in this hospital since last 24 years,” he added.

Medical officer at the hospital, Dr. Anjali Deshpande, said, “Yes, the patient got violent and attacked our staff. We have him under control now and have kept him in a separate ward. He undergoing treatment.”

Asked how frequently such incidents take place, she said, “Once in six months, since we lack staff. The need of these patients is quite different than normal. They all require special treatment with love and care.”

The 35-year-old patient, who got violent, is an alcoholic and was undergoing treatment in the same hospital since many years. He was admitted six months ago and was sent home just one week back, but as his conditioned remained the same, his got him admitted again.

According to hospital sources, the patient is suffering from psychosis and gets violent. They alleged that since he hadn’t consumed alcohol since a long time, he turned violent.

Thane civil hospital superintendent, Dr. B. C. Kempipatil said, “The patient is well and out of danger and recovering. He will be discharged in a day or two.”