COMMONWEALTH HEALTH PROFESSIONS ALLIANCE, UK PROF.DR.S.ARULRHAJ,MD.

,FRCP(Glasg) CHAIRMAN
SECRETARIAT 20 Cavendish Square London W1G ORN United Kingdom drarulrhaj.cma.uk@gmail.com www.chpa.co CHAIRMAN OFFICE Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals, 145/5B, Jeyaraj Road, Tuticorin-628 002. Tamil Nadu, India M+99945 80001 drarulrhaj@gmail.com www.sah-hospital.org

11/01/12 To The Honourable Chief Minister Government of Tamil Nadu Chennai Most Respected Madam, Sub : Fact Sheet & request from Doctors upon the Murder incidence of Senior Government Servant Dr. Mrs. Sethulekshmi of Tuticorin on 02.01.2012 Dr.Sethulekshmi W/O Mr.R.Thirugnanasambondam was a Senior Incharge Medical Officer Incharge of ESI Hospital, Tuticorin. Apart from her working time, she used to have private practice without any hindrance to the ESI hospital. Civil Surgeons in ESI can have their practice is a known fact. She is a pious lady and D/O an IPS officer. She underwent Diploma course in Anaesthesia. One Mrs.Nithya Mahesh and her family are 20 years loyal patients of Dr. Mrs. Sethulekshmi. Mrs. Nithya Mahesh was brought by Nithya's husband, uncle, mother, mother in law and her relatives on 30 Dec 2011. They requested treatment for Mrs.Nithya Mahesh. Dr.Sethulekshmi examined the patient and told that the condition of the patient was very bad due to the death of the foetus inside her womb and hypertension and swelling feet. Her relatives were explained about all the possible complications of the case and the grave nature of the disease and were asked to shift her to a higher center or the Medical College. But they refused to shift her and gave tremendous pressure to treat the case stressing the confidence on her and their poor affordability.

Chief Physician & Intensivist Chairman, Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals

Adjunct Professor of Medicine , Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai

Imm. Past President, Commonwealth Medical Association, UK Past National President, IMA, New Delhi Dean IMA CGP New Delhi 1995 98 BC Roy National Awardee 2002 www.drsarulrhaj.com

COMMONWEALTH HEALTH PROFESSIONS ALLIANCE, UK PROF.DR.S.ARULRHAJ,MD.,FRCP(Glasg) CHAIRMAN

SECRETARIAT 20 Cavendish Square London W1G ORN United Kingdom drarulrhaj.cma.uk@gmail.com www.chpa.co CHAIRMAN OFFICE Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals, 145/5B, Jeyaraj Road, Tuticorin-628 002. Tamil Nadu, India M+99945 80001 drarulrhaj@gmail.com www.sah-hospital.org

Finally Dr.Sethulekshmi has got no other option except treating her to save the life of Mrs.Nithya. With the consent of the patient's mother, Dr.Sethulekshmi started treating her and an obstetrician was also called for help. Before the obstetrician came, the conservative measures failed to expel the foetus. Hence there is only one option (LSCS) to expel the dead foetus and save the mother. As it was a life saving emergency to safeguard the life of Mrs.Nithya, because the complications of retained dead foetus like rupture uterus, coagulation failure etc., emergency LSCS was mandatory. Dr.Sethulekshmi is a well experienced senior doctor with sufficient experience in obstetrics and gynaecology and surgery. MBBS is an abbreviation of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. So an MBBS holder is entitled to practice medicine and do surgery and practice OG as per the medical council registration certificate. So just to save her Dr.Sethulekshmi did LSCS surgery. Questioning her eligibility does not arise. In the mean time the patient developed fits and respiratory distress. She incubated the patient and started life saving revival. As the patient needed Tertiary care services and continued ventilator support she was shifted in an ambulance with oxygen accompanied by Dr.Sethulekshmi and her staff to nearby bigger hospital. Even while shifting the patient husband of Mrs.Nithya and his relatives started smashing the doors and windows of the hospital and shouted unwanted abusive words against the doctor and demanded huge amount of money. Immediately H/O Dr.Sethulekshmi and his nephew went to the Tuticorin South Police station and reported orally about the situation to Mr.Hariharan who was the sub Inspector of police and pleaded her protection and safety of Dr.Sethulekshmi and her family. In between the patient died and the body was buried by the relatives. No action was taken by the police afterwards even though the police knew that the patient died and H/O Nithya is a criminal accused in two murder cases and two other cases. At about 9:30 PM on 2/01/12 Dr.Sethulekshmi was called to the outpatient department for some emergency cases. She was looking after other few cases and attended them while she was there. All of a sudden a mob who are known by name lead by Mr. Mahesh the husband of Mrs. Nithya came inside and demanded a huge amount of money from Dr.Sethulekshmi. She refused for the same and was trying to explain about the facts about the case and explained that she was not negligent and the patient died due to the complication as grave nature of the disease only. Immediately H/O Nithya, Mr. Mahesh attacked Dr.Sethulekshmi with sharp weapon and killed her. She was found dead in a pool of blood.

Chief Physician & Intensivist Chairman, Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals

Adjunct Professor of Medicine , Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai

Imm. Past President, Commonwealth Medical Association, UK Past National President, IMA, New Delhi Dean IMA CGP New Delhi 1995 98 BC Roy National Awardee 2002 www.drsarulrhaj.com

COMMONWEALTH HEALTH PROFESSIONS ALLIANCE, UK PROF.DR.S.ARULRHAJ,MD.,FRCP(Glasg) CHAIRMAN

SECRETARIAT 20 Cavendish Square London W1G ORN United Kingdom drarulrhaj.cma.uk@gmail.com www.chpa.co CHAIRMAN OFFICE Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals, 145/5B, Jeyaraj Road, Tuticorin-628 002. Tamil Nadu, India M+99945 80001 drarulrhaj@gmail.com www.sah-hospital.org

The H/O Dr.Sethulekshmi went to the Tuticorin South police station to file FIR. Because of this incidence the Lady doctors of not only Tamilnadu but whole India are afraid to attend to even normal routine cases .Not only lady doctors but also all the General practitioners, speciality and Super speciality doctors are afraid of admitting emergencies and even normal cases. The paramedical staffs are frightened to deal with even the routine cases. The Government Sector Doctors are very much afraid of taking cases because of the fear of their life.

Hence this Brutal Butchery has caused not only great loss to the deceased family but also caused great negative impact on the public and private health scenario. In short the Brutal Butchery is not due to negligence or inefficiency of Doctor but to extract large money from a humane Government Lady Doctor. If this incidence is not condoned effectively and culprits punished suitably, the Doctor Patient Relations will suffer and safety of Doctors life will be in cross roads ultimately affecting the Emergency Healthcare Services of our State.
The media and some of the miscreants are questioning the eligibility of the deceased doctor to offer the above mentioned treatment. Whether Dr. Sethulekshmi was right or wrong in handling the emergency situation let us not decide or debate. Permit Law to take its own course. Why we are negative towards a brutally murdered victim ? Are we justifying the concept of LIFE FOR LIFE in this peaceful Tamil Nadu under your leadership. Definitely not, Madam

Chief Physician & Intensivist Chairman, Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals

Adjunct Professor of Medicine , Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai

Imm. Past President, Commonwealth Medical Association, UK Past National President, IMA, New Delhi Dean IMA CGP New Delhi 1995 98 BC Roy National Awardee 2002 www.drsarulrhaj.com

COMMONWEALTH HEALTH PROFESSIONS ALLIANCE, UK PROF.DR.S.ARULRHAJ,MD.,FRCP(Glasg) CHAIRMAN

SECRETARIAT 20 Cavendish Square London W1G ORN United Kingdom drarulrhaj.cma.uk@gmail.com www.chpa.co CHAIRMAN OFFICE Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals, 145/5B, Jeyaraj Road, Tuticorin-628 002. Tamil Nadu, India M+99945 80001 drarulrhaj@gmail.com www.sah-hospital.org

Hence it is the time for our Health Friendly Honourable Chief Minister Madam to act and safeguard the medical profession and the public health at large by following ways...
1)The local police officers who neglected the c/o the husband of Dr.Sethulekshmi should be dismissed from service so that it will be a lesson to the whole police force. The transfer order by DIG is only an eye wash and not an action for punishment.

2)Such happenings should not happen anywhere in Tamilnadu not only for medical profession but also for all other professions. 3)The case should be taken by the police immediately and Judiciary should give very strong punishment to the culprits in the fast track to avoid further happenings like this. This punishment must be deterrent to the other anti-social elements of our State. 4)The Government should express the condolence message to console the grieved family members and also to the grieved Fellow colleagues of the medical fraternity. 5)Strong publicity should be given about the Tamilnadu medicine services protection act 48/2008 to the public so that such happenings will not happen in future 6)Active steps to be taken against the cases of attack on hospitals and Health Work force in the past to register the cases properly in this particular act and punish the culprits so that such attacks will be curtailed in future. 7)Majority of the police officers are ignorant about this act 48/2008 and hence action should be taken to educate the police about this particular acts. When our colleagues requested the Police to register the case under this act their ignorance was explicit. 8)To declare hospitals as "special protection zones" by the govt. of Tamilnadu.

Chief Physician & Intensivist Chairman, Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals

Adjunct Professor of Medicine , Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai

Imm. Past President, Commonwealth Medical Association, UK Past National President, IMA, New Delhi Dean IMA CGP New Delhi 1995 98 BC Roy National Awardee 2002 www.drsarulrhaj.com

COMMONWEALTH HEALTH PROFESSIONS ALLIANCE, UK PROF.DR.S.ARULRHAJ,MD.,FRCP(Glasg) CHAIRMAN

SECRETARIAT 20 Cavendish Square London W1G ORN United Kingdom drarulrhaj.cma.uk@gmail.com www.chpa.co CHAIRMAN OFFICE Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals, 145/5B, Jeyaraj Road, Tuticorin-628 002. Tamil Nadu, India M+99945 80001 drarulrhaj@gmail.com www.sah-hospital.org

For the first time in the history of Tamil Nadu, the Government and Private Doctors had done agitation, rallies, human chains, hunger strikes with full solidarity. But the Government is maintaining silence to this genuine agitation. The government should express sympathy towards the striking doctors and give assurance to medical profession otherwise wrong signal will be sent to the anti-social elements. Unless these demands are fulfilled, Doctors of Tamil Nadu have no other option except going for the next step to attract the attention of Government and Public. We are confident, Madam there will be no necessity for that. Expecting your positive intervention Madam, Thanking you Madam. With regards & respects
Yours sincerely

Prof. DR. S. ARULRHAJ, MD., FRCP(Glasg) & Chairman, Commonwealth Health Professions Alliance, UK Imm. Past President, Commonwealth Medical Association, UK Past National President, IMA, New Delhi

Members of Tamil Nadu State Indian Medical Association

CC to : 1) Mrs. Girija Vaidyanathan IAS Principal Secretary of Health & Family Welfare Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai 2) Dr. Mrs. Shantha Chairman, Adyar Cancer Institute Chennai

Chief Physician & Intensivist Chairman, Sundaram Arulrhaj Hospitals

Adjunct Professor of Medicine , Dr. MGR Medical University, Chennai

Imm. Past President, Commonwealth Medical Association, UK Past National President, IMA, New Delhi Dean IMA CGP New Delhi 1995 98 BC Roy National Awardee 2002 www.drsarulrhaj.com