Unfortunate: 1st-year Orthopaedics PG Medico of Stanley Medical College commits suicide; Colleagues blame COVID duty pressure

Written by MD Bureau Published On 2020-07-21T12:58:18+05:30 | Updated On 21 July 2020 12:59 PM IST

Unfortunate: 1st-year Orthopaedics PG Medico of Stanley Medical College commits suicide; Colleagues blame COVID duty pressure

Chennai: In an unfortunate incident, an MBBS doctor pursuing Post graduation from Stanley Medical College Hospital committed suicide by jumping off from the third floor of the boy's hostel recently. The reason, why the doctor took the extreme step, is not known as of now.

The deceased medico has been identified as Kannan, a 24-year-old 1st year PG Medical student in Orthopaedics at the Medical College. According to recent media reports, after attending his duties on Monday, the medico went back to his hostel and reportedly jumped off from the third floor. Though the reason behind his death is still unknown, it is speculated by some of his WhatsApp group members that he took the drastic step due to excessive workload as he was working in the COVID facility.

The incident took place on July 20th when the medico jumped off from the third floor of his hostel building of the medical college. Identifying his body, his friends rushed for his rescue and immediately informed the police.

They took him to the Intensive Care Unit of the hospital but he succumbed to his injuries. No suicide note has been found as of yet. It was believed that he had jumped from the third floor where his room was located. The body was sent for autopsy.

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Some of his friends and colleagues confirmed that the deceased attended to the patients till 1:30 a.m. on Monday. After that, he returned back to the hostel, and around 4 a.m. he was spotted falling from the third floor.

According to TOI, some of the WhatsApp groups of the medico at the hospital initially claimed that he might have taken the drastic step under the extreme work pressure as he was working in the COVID-19 facility. However, the Hospital authorities denied the fact and clarified that he was not given the duty in the COVID-19 facility. Police also affirmed that the cause behind his death is yet unknown, hence the allegations can't be verified yet.

Police informed his family members and registered a case under CrPC 174 (unnatural death).

Meanwhile, the general secretary of doctors association for social equality, doctor GR Ravindranath informed BM that he has requested the state government to initiate a thorough investigation into the matter to find out the real reason behind the drastic step of the medico. He stated that at a time like this when medical students are working day and night to handle the pandemic condition, they have to face a lot of stress. Hence, the reasons behind their stress must be investigated and rooted out. He also claimed that the PG and intern doctors are even forced to work 24/7 which is physically and psychologically draining for them.

Hence, he urged the government to restrict the hospitals from assigning the medicos duty more than 8 hours a day. He also requested the government to give an ex gratia of 50 lakhs to the family of the deceased doctor. As the exact reason behind his death is unknown police stated that investigation is still going on to find out the real reason. The medical community has expressed their grief over the sudden death of a young medical student. Many of his friends and colleagues have expressed their condolences via social media platforms.

Dr. Kannan(25) of Govt Stanley Medical College committed suicide at hospital premises today.
He was 1st year PG Ortho.
Jumped from 3rd floor of hostel building.
No suicide note found.
May God give strength to his family.
ॐ शान्ति।🙏 pic.twitter.com/6MF4lZpHWr
— Sumit Garg (@DoctorSumitGarg) July 20, 2020

Stanley Medical College Hospitalpg medicomedico suicideMBBSorthopaedicsCOVID

Source : with inputs

MD Bureau

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