Relatives Block Highway Demanding Action Against Doctors After Patient’s Death
A protest broke out outside Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital in Tamil Nadu after a 35-year-old woman died while undergoing treatment for a sinus infection, prompting her family members to allege medical negligence and demand action against the doctors involved.
The deceased, identified as Tamilselvi, wife of daily wage worker Muniyasamy and a resident of Palkarai village in Ramanathapuram district, had reportedly been suffering from breathing difficulties caused by a sinus infection. She was admitted to Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital on May 18 for treatment.
According to reports, doctors advised surgical intervention after examining her condition. The surgery was subsequently performed on May 24 at the government medical college hospital.
However, family members alleged that Tamilselvi’s health did not improve following the procedure. They claimed that she remained motionless after surgery and expressed concerns that her condition had deteriorated significantly.
The relatives further alleged that hospital authorities later suggested shifting her to a hospital in Madurai for advanced treatment. However, the family reportedly did not agree to the transfer.
Tamilselvi continued to receive treatment at Ramanathapuram Government Medical College Hospital before doctors declared her dead on Wednesday morning.
Following her death, enraged relatives refused to accept the body and staged a road blockade on the Madurai–Dhanushkodi National Highway in front of the hospital. The protesters demanded a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death and sought action against the medical professionals involved in her treatment.
Police personnel reached the spot and held discussions with the agitating family members. Authorities assured them that the matter would be investigated, following which the road blockade protest was temporarily withdrawn.
The incident has sparked concerns over the quality of patient care and treatment protocols, with the family maintaining that negligence during treatment may have contributed to Tamilselvi’s death. Officials have indicated that an inquiry into the allegations will be conducted.
Similar allegations of medical negligence have surfaced in other parts of the country in recent weeks. In a separate incident in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh, family members of a female patient staged a protest at a neuro hospital after alleging negligence in her treatment following a brain haemorrhage. Police intervened and managed to bring the situation under control after persuading the protesting relatives.
The Ramanathapuram incident is likely to remain under scrutiny as authorities investigate the circumstances leading to the patient’s death and assess whether any lapses occurred during her treatment.
