Emergency medicine specialist was found unresponsive during morning hours after night duty; postmortem examination underway to determine exact cause of death
A 41-year-old doctor working as an ICU physician at a private hospital in Guwahati was found dead inside an ICU room on Wednesday morning, prompting police to investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
The doctor, who was an emergency medicine specialist, was found unresponsive by hospital staff in an ICU room on the second floor. Senior doctors were called to the spot and declared him dead, police said.
Doctor Was on Night Duty at Hospital
According to hospital authorities, the deceased had been working as an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) physician at the hospital for the past six years.
He arrived at the hospital at around 8 pm on Tuesday and remained there overnight while on night duty. Hospital staff found him unresponsive the following morning.
The hospital owner said the doctor had complained of abdominal pain to the nurse on night duty. He had reportedly administered medicine and an injection to himself through an intravenous drip.
Police Investigating Possible Suicide
Soroj Doley, officer-in-charge of the concerned police station, said the initial investigation indicated that the doctor may have injected a high dose of a sedative, possibly Propofol, into his veins.
Police are investigating the possibility of suicide but have stated that all possible aspects are being examined. The doctor was also reportedly experiencing mental distress, according to police.
However, the exact circumstances and cause of death have not yet been established.
Postmortem to Establish Exact Cause of Death
According to Bezbaruah, an overdose of Propofol can cause serious complications, including respiratory depression, cardiovascular depression and potentially cardiorespiratory arrest.
The exact cause of death remains unknown and will be determined after the postmortem examination, authorities said.
The body has been sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for postmortem examination to ascertain the exact cause of death.
Investigation Underway
Police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the doctor’s death. The postmortem findings are expected to provide further information regarding the cause of death.
Authorities have not ruled out any possibility at this stage and are examining the available evidence as part of the investigation.
Important Highlights
- A 41-year-old ICU physician was found dead at a private hospital in Guwahati
- The doctor had been working at the hospital for around six years
- He was on night duty and had arrived at the hospital at around 8 pm on Tuesday
- Hospital authorities said he had complained of abdominal pain during the night
- Police are investigating the possibility of suicide
- Police said he may have injected a high dose of a sedative, possibly Propofol
- The exact cause of death is yet to be established
- The body has been sent to Gauhati Medical College and Hospital for postmortem examination