Association asserts that it was a case of civil negligence and not medical negligence, wants CM Stalin to interfere.
Priya R was hoping to bag a government job in the sports quota. (Supplied)
The Service Doctors and PG’s Association (SGPDA) in Tamil Nadu on Saturday, 19 November, threatened to boycott all elective surgeries in all state-run hospitals “without prior notice” if any criminal action is initiated against two doctors, whose alleged medical negligence caused the death of a 17-year-old football player.
“We have already requested the government not to proceed with criminal action against the doctors due to medical negligence in young girl’s death in Periyar Nagar Peripheral Hospital. But there’s news circulating that the police are searching for them. This is highly condemnable [sic],” the association said in a statement.
“Without a concrete committee report on criminal negligence SGPDA demands the government to follow the Supreme Court guidelines [sic],” it added.
The footballer, Priya R of Vysarpadi in North Chennai, died on 15 November allegedly after a botched surgery at the Periyar Nagar Government Peripheral Hospital.
Meanwhile, the Madras High Court’s denial of anticipatory bail to the two doctors did not go down well with the Tamil Nadu Government Doctors’ Association (TNGDA). It demanded a rethink of the sections under which the doctors have been booked.
“The high court didn’t follow the apex court’s guidelines while denying anticipatory bail and asking the doctors to surrender to the police. The Madras High Court’s decision on this matter disappoints doctors across the country,” the association said in a statement read.
In another statement, the association said it had passed a resolution to stage protests across the state if the government did not heed its demand.
The now-suspended doctors — Chief Medical Officer Dr K Somasundar and Assistant Professor Dr Paul Ram Shankar — had sought anticipatory bail after a case under Section 304(A) of the IPC (death by rash or negligent act) was registered against them.
After a complaint was lodged, the police altered the case that was initially registered as suspicious death to medical negligence.
“The doctors have been booked under Section 304A of the Indian Penal Code, which pertains to death due to negligence”, a senior doctor told South First on the condition of anonymity. “A thorough investigation needs to be conducted before charging the doctors,” he added.
The TNGDA termed the police action against the doctors “extreme”. “As per Supreme Court guidelines, the police should get an opinion from the senior-most doctor while investigating any medical negligence-related death,” he told South First.
“A case under 304A IPC can be registered if the senior doctor confirms medical negligence,” he added.
Meanwhile, the association’s statement claimed that the state health department had found civil negligence in the case and not criminal negligence.
The association also requested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin to take disciplinary action against the doctors for civil negligence.
“The health department has found that the doctors performed the surgery successfully and Priya’s death occurred due to post-operative medical negligence, which should be considered as civil negligence,” the statement read.
The association also requested Tamil Nadu Chief Minister to intervene in the matter.
Two doctors of Government Peripheral Hospital, Periyar Nagar, were suspended after a series of alleged botched surgeries led to Priya’s death.
Priya passed away at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) due to multiple organ failures. She had undergone surgery for a ligament tear at the peripheral hospital. On November 9, due to an infection, her leg was amputated.
