PUDUCHERRY: The Tamil Nadu Medical Council (TNMC) has suspended two doctors for three months after finding them guilty of negligence that led to the death of a Puducherry IT professional during bariatric surgery.
The council, in its order dated September 18, suspended the services of surgeon Dr Perungo and anaesthesiologist Dr Nesamani. During this period, they would not be allowed to practice medicine in any form in the state, the order said.
The deceased Hemachandiran of Kamaraj Nagar underwent the procedure on April 22, 2024, under the care of Dr Perungo. Initially advised to have the surgery at Rela Hospital for Rs 9 lakh, he was shifted to BP Jain Hospital, Pallavaram, where it was performed at a reduced cost of Rs 4 lakh.
According to inquiry findings, senior doctors had not examined the patient before the operation, and only nursing staff handled pre-surgical care. During the surgery, Hemachandiran suffered a cardiac arrest. He was shifted to Rela Hospital’s ICU but died the following night.
After his family lodged complaints with Chrompet and Sankar Nagar police station, an inquiry headed by Chengalpattu Deputy Director of Health Services Theerthalingam was ordered.
The committee declared B P Jain Hospital unfit for high-risk surgeries, and faulted the absence of cardiologists, anaesthesiologists, and trained nurses during the operation.
Experts confirmed that the surgery was elective and that Hemachandiran, with uncontrolled diabetes and obesity, was not given adequate counselling on the risks. The council concluded that negligence by Dr Perungo and Dr Nesamani led to multiple organ failure and death.