Moffat Mungazi
Lovemore Kadzura
Weekender Reporter
A PATIENT admitted at Rusape General Hospital for gulping poison on Sunday night went berserk, and brutally attacked a nurse aide who was part of the medical team that was attending to him.
The staff manning the ward had to call for reinforcement from other colleagues to restrain the marauding patient who was sitting on top of the helpless aide, assaulting her with clenched fists and open hands on the head and face, leaving her seriously injured.
The patient later escaped from the health institution before police arrived, and was later apprehended on Monday at his relative’s house in Silverbow suburb, a spitting distance from the hospital.
Rusape General Hospital medical superintendent, Dr Stewart Karembo confirmed the incident, saying the patient was diagnosed of organophosphate poisoning after gulping cow dip and was administered atropine — a medication which reverses the poisoning and causes the patient to exhibit psychotic symptoms upon receiving the full dose.
The situation is called full atropinisation, while in this state, the patient attacked the nurse aide on night duty.
Dr Karembo dismissed suggestions that the patient attempted to rape the nurse aide, saying he only assaulted her while sitting on her shouting “my girlfriend”.
“This patient was admitted suffering from organophosphate poisoning and was undergoing treatment. He was transferred from Nyamusosa Clinic after ingesting poison. To treat this type of poisoning, we use a treatment called atropine to reverse the effects. However, for the treatment to be effective, the patient’s behaviour becomes similar to that of someone with mental challenges. This patient reached that stage due to the medication.
“At that point, the patient attacked a nurse aide in the ward. According to witnesses, he referred to the nurse aide as ‘my girlfriend’ during the assault. He severely assaulted and bit her. The hospital staff had to intervene to subdue him, but it was a bit late.
“The nurse aide was rescued and admitted to another ward. The patient then escaped from the hospital, and the police were notified. However, by the time they arrived, he was nowhere to be found. The police later located him at his relative’s home in Silverbow suburb.
“The nurse aide sustained serious injuries, particularly on her head. The patient pushed her to the ground, sat on her chest, and punched and slapped her on the head and face. One of her eyes was injured in the process. She was discharged on Tuesday and is recuperating at home, although she is still in pain.
“We are currently unsure whether the police have charged the patient or not. We will follow up with the police to determine his status. It is essential to note that he was under the influence of the medication being administered.
“Regardless of the circumstances, the patient was not in the right state of mind. We are uncertain whether the police will charge him and, if so, what the charges will be. The patient’s relatives purchased medication for the nurse aide, and Rusape General Hospital is also providing medication and treatment for its affected employee, who was injured during the course of duty. The reason behind the patient’s decision to ingest poison can only be revealed once he has fully recovered,” said Dr Karembo.
Rusape District police spokesperson, Assistant Inspector Jowert Kamera said he was unaware of the incident, and promised to check with his counterparts.
