By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 12 September 2006
INDIAN Embassy officials are still hoping that people in Bahrain and India will come forward with information about a comatose man at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). His Bahraini landlord and roommates have identified the patient – who was found unconscious by police near a Manama road on July 31 – as Indian carpenter Surjit Singh Bedi after the GDN published his photograph.
But Indian community leader and Surya Charitable and Cultural Association (SCCA) general secretary K R Nair told the GDN yesterday that more information was needed – including details of the patient’s family in India, addresses, contact numbers and the name of the man’s sponsor – so that the embassy could start processing documents to send him home.
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 12 September 2006
INDIAN Embassy officials are still hoping that people in Bahrain and India will come forward with information about a comatose man at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC). His Bahraini landlord and roommates have identified the patient – who was found unconscious by police near a Manama road on July 31 – as Indian carpenter Surjit Singh Bedi after the GDN published his photograph.
But Indian community leader and Surya Charitable and Cultural Association (SCCA) general secretary K R Nair told the GDN yesterday that more information was needed – including details of the patient’s family in India, addresses, contact numbers and the name of the man’s sponsor – so that the embassy could start processing documents to send him home.
“Other than his name, we still do not have much of a clue about this man until now,” said Mr Nair.
The embassy has reportedly sent a special request to the Indian government to help identify Mr Bedi’s relatives in Punjab.
The man, believed to be aged in his 50s, lay in the hospital’s Ward 66 for nearly a month under a nametag that had read “unknown” until his roommates and landlord came forward to identify him.
Police conducted a search in Mr Bedi’s accommodation in Manama, but officials say they were unable to find his CPR card or passport.
An enquiry made by the embassy with immigration authorities also added to the mystery surrounding the man.
“After checking with immigration, we found that there are many Indians in Bahrain with the name Surjit Singh,” said Mr Nair. “There are none with the last name Bedi.
“Unfortunately, when things like this happen we cannot really do anything but wait and hope that friends and relatives of this man in Bahrain or in India will come forward and let us know more details about him.”
Doctors at the SMC have already deemed Mr Bedi fit for air travel, although he has not regained consciousness since being admitted nearly two months ago.
“He has not woken up yet,” said Mr Nair.
“We do not know when he will be able to wake up again; we just have to wait and see.”
Tests conducted by hospital staff found that the patient was a severe alcoholic.
Police reportedly did not find a wallet, money or CPR card on the patient when they discovered him lying unconscious.
The hospital, in co-ordination with the General Directorate of Nationality, Passports and Residence, was able to provide the patient with a temporary CPR number. People who think they may have more information about the patient should contact Ecumenical Conference of Charity volunteer M E G Coorey on 39667362 or Mr Nair on 39652009.
http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=155479&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=29176
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