In a concerning incident at Sengkang General Hospital (SKH), a 48-year-old man, Sim Wee Meng, has been sentenced on 26 December to six weeks in jail for threatening doctors and nurses with a Swiss Army knife, according to a report by The Straits Times.
The incident, which occurred on March 20, 2021, sheds light on the challenges faced by healthcare professionals dealing with individuals experiencing mental health issues.
Background of the Incident
Sim was brought to SKH due to a high heart rate, but the situation escalated when, after a blood sample was taken, he accused the doctor of injecting illicit substances into his bloodstream.
Despite reassurances from the medical staff, Sim became agitated, hurled vulgarities, and pulled out his cannula, causing self-inflicted bleeding.
Knife Threat and Hospital Chaos
As medical personnel attempted to address the situation, Sim escalated further by brandishing a Swiss Army knife, waving it menacingly at doctors and nurses.
The incident prompted a staff nurse to call the police. Sim, holding the knife, wandered through the hospital, creating a tense environment. The police eventually arrested him at noon on the same day.
Legal Proceedings and Mental Health Evaluation
Sim pleaded guilty on December 26 to two charges under the Protection from Harassment Act, with four other charges considered during sentencing.
A psychiatrist from the Institute of Mental Health found that Sim may have experienced drug-induced paranoia during the incident, but he was not deemed mentally unsound.
Sim’s history includes previous convictions, including drug consumption. In the mitigation plea, defense lawyer Gino Hardial Singh highlighted Sim’s history of mental health issues and drug-induced psychosis.
Singh mentioned that Sim, an odd-job laborer, was behaving erratically before the incident and is taking steps to manage his mental health with the support of his family