US Medical Student Alleges Mistreatment at Antigua Psychiatric Hospital
A United States citizen studying medicine in Antigua has accused a state-run psychiatric hospital of unlawful detention, mistreatment, and extortion, sparking calls for an investigation.
Fazalath Batcha, a medical student at the American University of Antigua (AUA) and licensed nurse, was admitted to Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital on 15 August after experiencing a panic episode. Although she stabilised within hours, she remained confined until 27 August under what her family describes as “inhumane” conditions.
In a formal report submitted to Antigua’s Ministry of Health, the US Embassy, and human rights organisations, Batcha’s husband, Zain Zubair, claims she was subjected to retaliation and coercion during her stay.
The report accuses hospital staff, including doctors identified as Dr. De Silva and Dr. Benjamin, of:
- Detaining her without medical or legal justification.
- Denying her food and water for extended periods.
- Restricting visits from family members and US consular representatives.
- Falsifying medical records to prolong her detention.
- Demanding $2,000 before allowing her to leave the island, threatening to block her departure if the payment was not made.
Batcha herself, in emails sent from inside the hospital, wrote: “I am clearly not a danger to myself nor others. I fear danger to my life being here.” She also complained of being punished by being locked in during visitation hours and deprived of communication with her husband.
The report states that conditions worsened after Antigua Newsroom published an anonymous letter from a Clarevue staff member corroborating the family’s claims. In response, visitation was curtailed and Batcha’s food rations were further reduced.
Her family alleges that the timing of her continued confinement caused her to miss an academic deadline at AUA, forcing her withdrawal from the semester.
Batcha was discharged on 27 August after what her husband describes as a “deliberately prolonged” process. She quietly flew out of Antigua the next day without informing hospital officials.
Although she was not physically harmed, the report says she was left “deeply traumatised” and her education disrupted.
The family is demanding:
- A full investigation into Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital.
- Disciplinary action against the doctors involved.
- Restoration of Batcha’s academic standing at AUA.
- Assurances that no other patients are subjected to similar treatment.
The report describes the case as a “gross abuse of medical authority” and a breach of international norms on the treatment of detained foreign nationals.
Neither the Ministry of Health nor Clarevue Psychiatric Hospital has yet issued a public response up to press time.
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