The family of a journalist, who was admitted to the neurology department of the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital earlier this week, raised a furore as they believed that lack of good power backup had led to his death.
Ponmurugan, editor of Indraya Vanigam and Arasiyal Sadhurangam, had been shifted to the government hospital from a private one and had been on ventilator support. At 5.15 am, the power supply was reportedly interrupted and it took a few minutes for the generator back-up to kick in.
During this period, the ventilator fluctuated, causing a break in its respiratory support to the ailing man. Family members, including his father and wife asked the nurses to do something immediately, but by 5.40 am normal supply had resumed. At 6.30 am Ponmurugan passed away because of respiratory distress, which might have been caused by power fluctuation to the ventilator .
The bereaved family immediately blamed the hospital’s bad power back-up facilities for the loss of their loved one’s life and raised a hue and cry.
Hospital authorities pacified them, explained that the power supply had in fact been adequate and had not led to his demise. A few hours later, the family relented and left with his body.