With tears rolling down his cheeks, an inmate of Taif Mental Hospital cried, “I am just waiting for death here.” The man only sees his family once or twice a year at the most, he said, wishing that he could be released to resume a normal life in society. He believed his condition would improve if he were let go. The hospital was the scene of a murder on Friday when a man was stabbed to death by a fellow inmate with a knife he obtained from outside the hospital as he was able to move freely in and out of the hospital with a permit given to him by a psychiatrist. “Taif Mental Hospital has only witnessed two similar cases over the last 19 years,” said hospital director, Rajab Bersali, vehemently refusing the categorization of his institution as a “hospital of death.” Another patient who has spent 13 years in the hospital cried out when he saw this reporter, “Please, get me out of here! I want to see my kids. I want to see my eldest daughter who just got married. I'm dying to see them although they have abandoned and forgotten me.” He said that he wanted to be transferred to the mental hospital in Riyadh so that he could be close to his family. When asked about his treatment at the hospital, he said he is treated fairly by psychiatrists and nurses. As a fan of Al-Hilal Club he appeared happy for the team's 2-1 victory over Al-Nasr on Saturday night. Some inmates said although the treatment they receive was good, the employees of the hospital complain of their working conditions, promotions and salaries. Bersali, however, denied the allegation, saying that the hospital does not prevent anyone from being promoted if they were qualified. Only seven employees were denied promotion because they did not meet the required conditions, he said. “Patients in the mental rehabilitation department are improving and are on their way to rejoining society,” said Ahmed Al-Malik, a psychiatrist at the hospital. “They are allowed to visit the entertainment club, and some are allowed to go on day visits to their families,” he added. “Taif Mental Hospital is 95 percent full with patients suffering from mental problems and those who have been abandoned by their families which adds more burden to the capacity of the hospital,” Bersali said. Police also send criminals who are suspected of being mentally unstable to the hospital for examination. – Okaz __
