KOCHI: P.K. Shereefa, mother of deceased medico Shamna Thasneem, has sent a notice through her lawyer to the state Chief Secretary demanding a compensation of Rs 1 crore for the death of her daughter due to medical negligence at Ernakulam Government Medical College.
K.A. Abootty, father of Shamna, hailing from Mattannur in Kannur, had died last October as his health deteriorated following the stress of his daughter's demise and the protracted legal battle he waged to secure justice for his daughter. Shamna died on July 18, 2016, when she was studying for second year MBBS.
The notice sent by lawyer P.Bijimon to the Chief Secretary says that as per the report submitted to the government by the State Level Medical Apex Body, it is categorically stated that the death of Shamna Thasneem at medical college, Ernakulam, on July 18, 2016 was due to medical negligence committed by Dr Krishna Mohan, physician on duty and Dr Jilse George, Professor and HoD of the General Medicine Department of the medical college. Inquiry reports submitted by the medical teams led by eminent professors pointed out the various deficiencies and irresponsible attitudes of nurses, professors, hospital superintendent and medical college principal, leading to the death.
On the basis of the first departmental enquiry report, Prof Jilse George who prescribed the drug for her was placed under suspension, but was later reinstated. Based on the second departmental enquiry he was again suspended but is now continuing at the medical college. So far no departmental action is initiated against second accused Dr Krishna Mohan who was on duty when the deceased was admitted in the IP ward. No departmental action was taken against the erring nurses who attended her. No final report has been filed after the inquiry by Crime Branch IG S.Sreejith. Now writ petitions are pending before the Kerala High Court for long time after the court granted stay while the government pleader appearing for Additional Chief Secretary (Health) has not chosen to vacate the stay.
The damage for the loss of life of medico is put at Rs 50 lakh while for the loss of career prospects of Shamna, Rs 25 lakh is claimed and Rs 25 lakh for the mental trauma that the family has undergone. The notice sought to claim the amount from the responsible doctors and the government, failing which legal recourse will be sought.
