By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 28th August 2006
A COMATOSE man at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) has been named by friends and his Bahraini landlord as Indian carpenter Surjit Singh Bedi, it was revealed yesterday. It follows an appeal through the GDN for anyone who knew him to come forward and identify him.
Mr Bedi, believed to be aged in his 50s, has been lying in Ward 66 for nearly a month under a nametag that previously read “unknown”.
The hospital’s social services committee, in co-ordination with the Ecumenical Conference of Charity (ECC) volunteer M E G Coorey, launched the appeal to find out exactly who he was last week.
By EUNICE del ROSARIO
Published: 28th August 2006
A COMATOSE man at the Salmaniya Medical Complex (SMC) has been named by friends and his Bahraini landlord as Indian carpenter Surjit Singh Bedi, it was revealed yesterday. It follows an appeal through the GDN for anyone who knew him to come forward and identify him.
Mr Bedi, believed to be aged in his 50s, has been lying in Ward 66 for nearly a month under a nametag that previously read “unknown”.
The hospital’s social services committee, in co-ordination with the Ecumenical Conference of Charity (ECC) volunteer M E G Coorey, launched the appeal to find out exactly who he was last week.
The Indian Embassy has now taken charge of the case, said Indian community leader and Surya Charitable and Cultural Association (SCCA) general secretary K R Nair.
However, following official enquiries with immigration authorities it is now expected to take more time before more information on Mr Bedi is forthcoming.
“After checking with immigration authorities, we found out that there are many with the name of Surjit Singh in Bahrain,” said Mr Nair.
“There are none with the last name Bedi, so we are waiting for more information from his friends and also from relatives, friends or officials in India.”
Following the appeal in the GDN, officials were able to visit Mr Bedi’s accommodation in Manama, where they spoke with his roommates and Bahraini landlord.
“When the room was inspected, we were not able to find any documents which could give us more information on him,” said Mr Nair.
“His passport and CPR card are not with him.”
The embassy is reportedly now scanning any information they may have on any Indian national with the name of Surjit Singh.
According to the SMC social services committee, Mr Bedi was found unconscious by police near a Manama road on July 31.
He has apparently not regained consciousness since and tests conducted by hospital staff found that the patient was an alcoholic.
Assumptions made by doctors and nurses that the patient might be a Sikh apparently proved to be true.
“When he first came in, he had long hair like a woman and a very long beard,” said one nurse.
“This made us think that he could be a Sikh and we were 80 per cent sure he was.”
The patient’s hair had to be cut and his beard shaved off for health reasons.
“He sometimes moves and opens his eyes, but that does not mean he is awake,” explained the nurse.
“We do not know how long he will remain in this state.”
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 Mr Coorey on 39667362 or Mr Nair on 39652009.
© Gulf Daily News