A nursing student died during an operation at a government hospital in Tiruchi; colleagues protest

HR&CE Minister Ramesh interacts with protesting nursing students | Photo credit: M. Moorthy

The death of a 19-year-old nursing student while admitted for surgery at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Tiruchi on Saturday (May 23, 2026) sparked a protest by more than 300 nursing students of KAP Viswanatham Government Medical College, attached to the hospital.

A high-level inquiry committee, comprising doctors from Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), was set up to investigate the “adverse medical incident” involving the student.

According to hospital sources, third-year nursing student Seethalakshmi of Manakudipatti village, Pudukottai district sought treatment at MGMGH due to persistent headache. After tests, the problem was diagnosed as caused by a deviation of the nasal septum requiring surgery.

“The patient was prepared for surgery on May 22, but suffered a cardiac arrest during anesthesia. She was under observation in the intensive care unit. Unfortunately, she died the next day due to medical complications. We will hand over the video and other documentation of the procedure as per standard operating protocol to the inquiry committee,” Dean S. Kumaravel told The Hindu newspaper.

Meanwhile, the nursing students blocked the road in front of the MGMGH entrance from 9 am as they protested the death of their colleague and alleged medical negligence by the authorities.

S. Ramesh, Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments, who was on his first visit to the city after taking over as Minister, District Collector V. Saravanan and senior officials interacted with the students.

Hospital Visit Questionnaire

In an order issued on Saturday, Dean RGGGH, on the instructions of Additional Secretary, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare and Director of Medical Education and Research, constituted a committee to visit KAP Viswanatham Government Medical College and conduct an enquiry.

N. Basker, Medical Superintendent, RGGGH, will head the committee while M. Bharathi Mohan, Professor of ENT, P. Shanmugasundaram, Professor of Anaesthesiology, and N. Jayaprakash, Professor of Medicine, RGGGH, are members of the committee, the order said.

Published – 23 May 2026 15:43 IST