A week after developing complications due to a ligament tear repair, a 17-year-old girl, who had to undergo an amputation of her right leg, died of multiple-organ failure at the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH) on Tuesday morning.
Two doctors of the Government Peripheral Hospital, Periyar Nagar, where she had undergone an arthroscopic ligament repair procedure, were placed under suspension for medical negligence.
Health Minister Ma. Subramanian said the girl, Priya, a football player, had suffered a ligament tear in her right leg two weeks ago.
R. Priya was a first-year student of B.Sc. Physical Education, and a resident of Vyasarpadi.
“She underwent an arthroscopic ligament repair procedure at the Government Peripheral Hospital, Periyar Nagar on November 7. A compression bandage was applied to prevent bleeding,” the Minister added.
Prolonged pressure from the compression bandage resulted in a lack of blood flow to the leg, resulting in complications.
The Minister said doctors failed to notice the pressure caused by the compression bandage. With complications arising from this, the girl was referred to RGGGH on November 8 where she had to undergo an amputation.
She was admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. Even as treatment continued at RGGGH, she died of multiple-organ failure on Tuesday. Her kidneys, liver and heart failed, resulting in her death, the Minister said.
Two doctors suspended; to face legal action
The Health Minister had constituted an inquiry committee to look into the case. On Monday, following the submission of the inquiry report, the Minister had said that two doctors of the Government Peripheral Hospital will be transferred for medical negligence.
However, following the death of the teenager, he said that the two doctors will be suspended and will face departmental action. “We are lodging a complaint with the police as well. They will face legal action,” he said.
Solatium announced
“This is a tragic incident. Her loss cannot be compensated,” he said. The Minister said that the State government will grant a solatium of ₹10 lakh to the family and also give a government job to a member of the family.
BJP demands ₹2 crore compensation
Tamil Nadu BJP president K. Annamalai on Tuesday condoled the death of Priya and demanded that the State government pay ₹2 crore as compensation to her family.
Contrary to the ₹10 lakh compensation offered by the State government, Mr. Annamalai demanded that ₹2 crore be released as compensation to the girl’s family. He said it was sad that the Health Department in Tamil Nadu had also joined the list of other departments that are in “decay” due to the “incompetence” of the present State government.
Ensure such incidents do not recur: AMMK
Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam general secretary T.T.V. Dhinakaran said that he was deeply shocked and saddened by the death of the Priya. Expressing his condolences to her family, he said that the government should release financial compensation to the family.
He urged the government to take adequate measures to ensure that such “unpardonable” incidents do not happen in the future. Former interim general secretary of the AIADMK, V.K. Sasikala urged the government to provide employment to a member of the deceased’s family
AIADMK condemns government
AIADMK interim general secretary and former Chief Minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami on Tuesday condemned the DMK government, which, he said, was responsible for the death of teenage footballer R. Priya.
He expressed condolences to Priya’s family and fellow players and urged the government to release a compensation of ₹1 crore to her family.
PMK demands enquiry
PMK president Anbumani Ramadoss said he was deeply saddened by Priya’s demise. He said that sportspersons were assets of the country who ought to be protected.
Demanding an enquiry, he said that action should be taken as per law against the doctors if they were found to be at fault. He urged the State government to increase the compensation to ₹1 crore.
Doctors must discharge their duties properly, says Congress
Tamil Nadu Congress Legislative Party leader K. Selvaperunthagai said that he was shocked and saddened by Priya’s death. Pointing out that a even minor mistake on the part of doctors can lead to the death of a patient, he stressed the need for doctors to discharge their duty in such a way that the public is not afraid of any possibility of mistakes.
He condemned certain Opposition parties for playing politics over the issue by blaming the Tamil Nadu government for the mistake of a few doctors.
