KOCHI: Several questions remain unanswered in the death of medico Shamna Tasnim of Ernakulam Government Medical College (EMC) even as a new team is constituted to conduct a detailed departmental inquiry into the case. Even before the detailed investigation concluded, two doctors under suspension were rehabilitated raising suspicions to hush up the case. The new team consists of Dr T.K. Suma, professor, general medicine, Alappuzha Government Medical College, Dr Linet J. Moris, anesthesiology professor, Thiruvananthapuram Government Medical College and Dr Davis Paul professor, Pulmonolgy medicine, Thrissur Medical College.
Earlier, a three-member panel headed by Joint DME and forensic surgeon Dr K. Sreekumari and consisting of Thiruvananthapuram Medical College medicine professor Dr M.K. Suresh and pulmonary medicine professor Dr K. Anitha conducted the preliminary investigation and reported medical negligence in the case. “If a team conducts the preliminary inquiry into the case it is only logical that it is allowed to continue and complete it. This attempt to entrust Shamna’s case to another team for detailed probe should be suspected as a bid to hush up the case,” said Mr C.R. Neelakantan, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) state convener.
Mr Neelakantan said that the prime culprit in the case is the state government which failed to put in place facilities to take care of a patient at the medical college. “The state of affairs at EMC is really pathetic. It is really moving to see a student of the college losing life at the college itself and her father knocking all doors to get justice,” he added. Mr Neelakantan said that if the Crime Branch probe being conducted now has to reach its logical end, the issue of medical negligence has to be established. "For this the probe by the apex state medical board and also the detailed departmental inquiry are crucial. Any attempt to influence the outcome of both these probes would have dangerous repercussions," he added.
