Doctor arrests likely at Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, medical fraternity shows anger

Thiruvananthapuram: An arrest of doctors of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College is anticipated as they allegedly refused to admit a road accident victim Murugan when he was driven into the hospital, which is also believed to be the reason for his death. Media reports point out that the doctors have approached the High Court for anticipatory bail. It is believed that they have been interrogated by the Kollam Commissioner. The Health department is holding the belief that the Medical College authorities are responsible for the death of Tamil Nadu native Murugan.

The Supreme Court has given directions for an expert committee report before arrest of any doctors. The police, in this case, is planning to consider the Secretary, Health department's report as an expert committee report.The Director, Health Department headed Probe Committee states that the doctors had failed to follow procedures underlined in the case of a patient admitted at a critical stage reports Mathrabhumi.

The High Court meanwhile has also ordered the police to submit the documents, related to the case, specifically the anticipatory bail plea by the doctors.

The police have registered a case against the doctors under the sections IPC 304 and 336.

The Kerala Medical PG Association (KMPGA), Kerala Government Medical College Teachers Association and the Indian Medical Association have condemned the potential arrest move, stating the doctors cannot not be made scapegoats for a failed system

KMPGA President, P Jathin declared that the association was planning to extend all legal support to the doctors. "If they are arrested, the doctors will go on an indefinite strike,'' he said. The association has also questioned the findings of the inquiry report of the Director of Health Services, casting doubts on their capabilities to assess the case..

"The inquiry committee did not have any experience in trauma care. The DHS is a pediatrician, Joint DME is an expert in forensic science and the third member is an anesthetist. They may be experts in their respective fields but they have no experience in trauma care,'' said the President.

Expressing regret over the circumstance which led to Murugan's death, KGMCTA President, Dr Kavitha Ravi was of the opinion that doctors could not be blamed for the victim's death. She said when the patient was brought to Thiruvananthapuram Medical College, the doctors had informed the relatives that there was no ventilator available. Besides, they had been advised against shifting the patient from the ambulance ventilator. The driver is believed to have driven him away to another facility a little while later, she added.

The IMA State President, Dr V G Pradeep Kumar, was of the opinion that Murugan's death reflected system failure. ''As of now, we have not taken any decision regarding questioning the doctors. We will decide on the future course of action only after looking into the developments,'' he said, adding was time for the authorities to address the shortcomings in trauma care management, reports TNIE.