An eight-year-old girl, who was in coma for nearly three months after a “failed” anaesthesia administered for tonsillectomy at the Government Hospital in Aruppukottai, died at Government Rajaji Hospital here on Tuesday.
It should be noted that the Madurai Bench of Madras High Court, on May 26, 2016, had ordered GRH to form a special team of doctors to provide the best care for I. Sangeetha, the girl, after her family approached the court alleging medical negligence by the doctors at Aruppukottai GH.
The ordeal for Sangeetha and her family, hailing from an impoverished economic background in Ramasamypuram near Aruppukottai, began when they approached Aruppukottai GH to treat her tonsils.
A surgery was planned on April 16, 2016.
“They took her to the operation theatre in the morning. However, the girl came out of the theatre shortly as anaesthesia did not work. The problem started when doctors made another attempt at anaesthetising her,” said J. Selvaraj, the girl’s maternal uncle.
According to him, although she developed respiratory problems and lost consciousness immediately, the doctors did not inform the family about her condition until late in the afternoon.
“They called for an ambulance around 3 p.m. and told us that she had to be taken to GRH. Though she had gone to coma by then, which we came to know later, the doctors assured that she will be alright in a few days,” he also said.
Citing doctors at GRH, Sangeetha’s mother I. Tamil Selvi, a casual labourer, said that the situation arose as doctors in Aruppukottai GH administered anaesthesia without proper assessment and precautions.
However, a senior doctor from GRH said that such extreme reactions to anaesthesia happen for some patients, although it was rare.
“The girl’s respiratory system failed and before it could be rectified, her brain functions were lost. She was in a vegetative state,” he said.
The post-mortem of the girl was not performed on Tuesday as Sangeetha’s family insisted that the police register a case under Section 304A of IPC against the doctors for causing death due to negligence.
However, the Aruppukottai Town police have registered a case of suspicious death under Section 174 of the CrPC.
Police sources said that they could alter the section only if a panel of doctors constituted at GRH gave a report that there was negligence on the part of doctors.
