Angul: A COVID-19 patient ended his life at Sapuinali village under Chhendipada police limits in Angul district Tuesday. It is said that the 65-year-old patient took the extreme step as he was apprehensive about the stigma he would face associated with the disease. The deceased has been identified as Jagabandhu Bag.
According to a source, some villagers first spotted Jagabandhu’s body hanging from a tree near the village. They immediately informed his family members and the police. The police while following all COVID-19 guidelines brought down the body and sent it for post-mortem.
Jagabandhu had tested positive for the infection May 2. Some health workers reached his house and wanted to take him to a treatment centre in an ambulance. However, Jagabandhu refused to leave his house, said the source. Since then he had been under tremendous mental stress.
The fear of neglect and lack of proper treatment kept haunting him. He could not face the mental stress anymore and ended his life.
During this second wave of the pandemic, news of COVID-19 patients taking extreme steps have been coming from various parts of India. Besides taking all measures to stop the spread and keep infrastructure ready for patients, the local governments should also address this problem, at least by employing psychologists who can counsel such patients, observed some locals.
PNN