Nepal Chandra Das, aged 85 and a resident of Ward 26, Subhaspally in Durgapur, died by suicide last night after jumping from the rooftop of the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Hospital.
The incident has sparked concern over patient safety measures at the hospital. Mr Das had been admitted on Monday with complaints of stomach pain and was reportedly recovering slowly. However, his family was informed over phone late last night that he had jumped from the hospital’s rooftop.
Upon arriving at the hospital, his family found him deceased. Dr Dhiman Mondal, superintendent of the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Hospital, confirmed the incident, stating that the rooftop door had been left open at the time and despite efforts by hospital staff, Mr Das could not be saved.
Family members have raised serious concerns regarding hospital security, questioning how a patient was able to access the rooftop undetected. They alleged negligence in surveillance and pointed out that CCTV systems appeared to have failed. A formal complaint has been lodged at New Township police station, according to his daughter-in-law, Apu Das.