CM Stalin presents Rs 10L to footballer Priya's family

CHENNAI: Chief Minister MK Stalin on Thursday visited the house of Priya, the 17-year-old footballer, who died due to medical negligence, in Vyasarpadi and presented a cheque of Rs 10 lakh to the family.

The Chief Minister consoled the family members and assured them that the State government will always be by their side. After presenting the cheque, Stalin asked the family members to approach him for their needs.

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He also presented the order for the job of data entry operator in National Health Mission for Priya's elder brother and the order for allocation of house in Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board (TNUHDB) tenements in Gowthamapuram.

Priya, a student of Queen Mary's college, was a football player, who during her recent match in Gujarat sustained a ligament tear and underwent surgery, but died due to medical negligence.

Two doctors were suspended for their negligence and immediately, after the death, the Chief Minister announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for Priya's family.

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Budding footballer Priya, a student of Queen Mary’s College, sustained a ligament tear during a match in Gujarat and underwent surgery at Government Peripheral Hospital in Periyar Nagar. After post-surgery complications that arose allegedly due to medical negligence, the doctors had to amputate her leg but still could not save her life.

Meanwhile, taking note of the suggestion put forth by public health expert Dr Amalorpavanathan Joseph who said there should be an audit of all fatalities after surgical procedures, Health Minister Ma Subramanian said the department would hold a meeting to discuss auditing the surgeries performed at government hospitals. Dr Amalorpavanathan, who retired from government service, had suggested the audit as is done in the case of infant and maternal mortality. Subramanian said the Chief Minister was impressed by the idea, and added that it would be discussed soon.

“A meeting will be held with all the surgeons of all 36 medical colleges, heads of departments, assistant surgeons, and those deployed in district hospitals in Chennai to discuss forming an organisation to audit such cases. It has also been planned to conduct advisory programmes within a week to highlight the significance of surgeries and their impact,” he added.

Meanwhile, in its report to Directorate of Medical Education on Thursday, the expert committee probing alleged medical negligence in the treatment given to Priya said there was negligence on the part of the operating surgeon, theatre anaesthetist, duty medical officer, duty casualty medical officer (orthopaedic surgeon) and post-operative ward staff.