In the wake of a tragic incident involving the death of a 26-year-old man during a weight loss surgery procedure at a private hospital in Pammal, the state health department has taken swift action. The hospital’s registration under the Tamil Nadu Clinical Establishment (Regulation) Act (TNCEA) has been temporarily cancelled, pending further investigation.The victim, S Hemachandran from Puducherry, had sought treatment for obesity at Dr Rela Hospital but was referred to BP Jain Hospital in Pammal for surgery due to cost considerations. Despite assurances of similar facilities and treatment at a lower cost, tragedy struck during the surgical procedure on April 21.
During the surgery, the patient experienced a cardiac arrest, necessitating immediate intervention. However, the hospital lacked essential medical equipment, including an ECMO machine, prompting a transfer to Dr Rela Hospital for critical care. Despite efforts to stabilize him, the patient tragically passed away on April 23.
Subsequent investigations by the state health department revealed several lapses in protocol and standards of care at BP Jain Hospital. The hospital failed to obtain informed written consent from the patient’s parents prior to the surgery, a critical oversight in medical practice. Additionally, the absence of ICU specialists during the surgery, including a general physician and a cardiologist, raised serious concerns about the hospital’s readiness to handle complex procedures.
Furthermore, the lack of advanced medical technology further compounded the situation, highlighting systemic deficiencies in patient care standards. In response to these findings, the state health department swiftly initiated action to temporarily suspend the hospital’s registration, pending a comprehensive inquiry into the incident.
