THIRTY-NINE expatriates have died in Bahrain in the past 45 days, of which more than 65 per cent (26) were victims of cardiac arrest, it has emerged.
Eight suicides were also reported among foreigners during this period.
Of the other cases, three died in traffic accidents, while two died of natural causes.
Community leaders, diplomats and social workers claimed that the increase in cardiac deaths, especially among people aged below 50, was linked to stress and anxiety caused by impact of the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
“The current conditions have created tremendous anxiety and stress among the expatriates,” said Kerala Pravasi (expat) Commission member Subair Kannur.
“People are feeling lonely, and we must address this dangerous phenomenon through awareness.
“We also urge people not to scare others over social media.
“The government of Bahrain has always been generous and we hope it will address the financial concerns of the expat community which will alleviate the stress.”
Of the 26 cardiac arrest cases, 12 were Indians of whom five were aged below 40, while the remaining 14 were Bangladeshis.
Among the eight suicides, seven were Indians and a Nepali man.
The GDN previously reported details of the seven Indians who reportedly committed suicide: Latha Narayanan, 54, jumped off a building; Raju Gunti, 30; Koshy Chacko, 40; Sathish Kumar, 41; Reghunathan Kuniyil, 52, and Mahesh Vanaparthi, 31, hanged themselves.
The eighth case was Nepali Padam Bahadur Syangtan, 33, who jumped from his third-floor room.
“A number of families are under tremendous stress as they are unable to pay rents and school fees,” World NRI (non-resident Indian) Council GCC Humanitarian Aid director Sudheer Thirunilath told the GDN.
“We urge the government to declare a moratorium on rents and school fees for three months,” he said.
Out of the 14 fatal cardiac arrests among Bangladeshis, six were aged between 30 and 40, five between 40 and 50, and rest were aged above.
One person died in a road accident.
“There is uncertainty in every sector and the virus has had a global impact; we can’t do anything but wait to see what will happen,” said Bangladesh Embassy Labour consul Shaikh Tahidul Islam.
“Most of the people who died from cardiac issues were young; there is stress everywhere and it is unfortunate.
“We recorded 15 deaths since March 15 – most of them were buried here, while four are waiting for repatriation as soon as flights resume.”
Depression
The GDN reported last month that community efforts were being stepped up to tackle a possible surge in cases of depression leading to suicide among expatriates financially impacted by the pandemic.
The Indian Community Relief Fund (ICRF), which operates three hotlines, has been receiving an average of two calls a day seeking financial and in-kind aid.
Art of Living (AOL) Bahrain is also offering free online and telephone sessions to relieve stress and help support public mental well-being.
“We are really concerned about the mental well-being of the people during these trying times,” said AOL trainer Dr Rithin Raj.
“It is a tough situation and the uncertainty could impact lives forcing people to take extreme steps, but that is not the solution.
“We are ready to assist people with our free online programmes which can help people overcome stress, while we can also offer telephone support for people who can’t attend the online sessions.”
The ICRF hotline numbers are 39430708, 35990990, and 38415171 and for AOL support contact 39104176.
raji@gdn.com.bh
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