Psychiatric Hospital incident: Berbice family calls for justice

A Berbice family is distressed following the death of Ravindra Yudeshwar Bishram, a 52-year-old resident of Cumberland Village, East Canje, Berbice, who was purportedly beaten to death on Thursday at the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital.

A relative and caretaker, Mr. Diaram Singh, informed reporters that at approximately 8:30 hours on Friday, he was at his place of employment when he received a phone call from the New Amsterdam Psychiatric Hospital, where Ravindra was receiving treatment. The caller conveyed that Ravindra had passed away.

Singh stated that upon receiving the distressing news, he hurriedly investigated and was subsequently informed that Ravindra had either been assaulted or had fallen and died. Following his investigation, Singh said he reported the incident to the Central Police Station, prompting the commencement of an official investigation.

Singh noted that injuries were observed on Ravindra’s face, including marks of violence.

“We want justice because several times he got injured, bruises on his face, and hand until it come to this point,” he expressed.

Ravindra had been a patient at the institution for over ten years. His illness began at the age of 15 while attending the New Amsterdam Multilateral Secondary School.

Singh mentioned that during last Christmas and Boxing Day, he and other family members visited Ravindra at the facility, where he appeared to be doing well. However, Ravindra’s aunt, Indra Ramsarran, who was part of the visiting party, disclosed during a telephone interview with News Room that her nephew had been subject to abuse on several occasions prior to this incident. Ramsarran, a resident of Canada, claimed that during a recent visit to the institution, Ravindra was observed with facial bruises and stitches. When questioned, he reportedly told her that he had been beaten.

“I never expected him to die like this. We are all hurt and sad about what happened to Ravindra,’’ the grieving aunt relayed.

Ramsarran further remarked, “they need more supervision at the Hospital. I don’t know how they are going to fix that problem.’’

According to a police statement, around 19:50 hours on Thursday, staff on duty at the hospital reported hearing “gasping sounds”, which led to the discovery of Ravindra lying in a pool of blood. A 38-year-old male patient from Bath Settlement, West Coast Berbice, was present in the ward at that time.

Ravindra was transported to the New Amsterdam Public Hospital, where he was admitted. Unfortunately, he succumbed to his injuries on Friday, February 20, 2026, at approximately 06:53 hrs while receiving medical care. A post-mortem examination will be conducted.

Police have confirmed that the 38-year-old patient was isolated in a separate room as investigations proceed.