Thiruvananthapuram — Fresh scrutiny has emerged around a Thiruvananthapuram-based cosmetic surgery clinic after a 2021 case involving the death of a 46-year-old man following a botched liposuction procedure resurfaced in the wake of a recent medical negligence controversy.
M.S. Neethu, who recently lost several fingers and toes after a cosmetic procedure at the same clinic, is not the first alleged victim. The family of Amrith Raj, a city resident, has now come forward claiming that he died under similar circumstances nearly four years ago, following a liposuction surgery at the clinic.
According to Amrith’s brother, Ashok Kumar, the clinic had been aggressively pursuing Amrith to undergo the procedure after he initially contacted them in 2020 upon seeing a Facebook advertisement. “They followed up persistently, as if they were desperate to get him in,” Ashok alleged. The COVID-19 pandemic delayed the initial plans, but the clinic resumed contact in 2021, ultimately convincing Amrith to proceed.
The surgery was performed on July 16, 2021, during which eight litres of fat were reportedly removed from his body. Despite the invasive nature of the procedure, the clinic allegedly allowed Amrith to be discharged the same day. “Only our mother’s insistence made him stay for an extra day,” said Ashok.
Trouble began shortly after Amrith returned home on the third day. He experienced difficulty in breathing and contacted the doctor, who allegedly dismissed it as minor gastric discomfort and prescribed a tablet. The following day, his condition worsened and the family rushed him back to the clinic. He was then referred to Lords Hospital, where he suffered a cardiac arrest. Despite being placed on ventilator support, Amrith died on July 21 — five days after the surgery.
With renewed focus on the clinic following Neethu’s case, questions are being raised over regulatory oversight and accountability in private cosmetic surgery centres.
