Two parents who allegedly abandoned their disabled son at a government hospital for more than a decade have been referred to criminal trial, the Public Prosecution has announced.
The son, who has a mild mental disability and is now in his 40s, was originally admitted in 2015 for treatment of an autoimmune disease.
He was expected to be discharged within two weeks, but has remained in the hospital ever since.
Despite leaving him there, the parents allegedly continued to receive disability assistance from the Social Development Ministry.
“The son was to be discharged after only two weeks of his admission, but his parents refused to take him home, despite repeated attempts to convince them to take their son and care for him,” said the statement.
“Due to his parent’s behaviour, the patient spent more than 10 years at the hospital.”
A complaint was filed by the Government Hospitals Long-Term Stay Committee to the Public Prosecution, stating that the man’s health condition does not require him to remain in the hospital.
“Repeated meetings with the parents have been held, but no progress was made,” the Public Prosecution said.
“His mental disability means that he has the cognitive skills of a 10-year-old, but he does not pose a danger to his family or society.”
The parents will face criminal trial.
&uuid=(email))