The doctor who was arrested in Mumbai following a 58-year-old man who moved his fingers and toes minutes after being declared dead and taken off the ventilator was granted bail on Thursday.
The ‘dead’ man’s revival was reported on Wednesday. Police arrested cancer surgeon Dr Atul Chirmade after Chandrakant Gangurde’s family filed an FIR alleging negligence.
Chirmade said on Thursday that he is a responsible medical practitioner who had put in 48 hours to save Chandrakant’s life and that he took him off life support only after his family gave their go-ahead in writing.
Chandrakant was admitted to Atharva Hospital and Research Centre on December 5 after he suffered a paralytic stroke due to a blood clot in his brain at home.
“Chandrakant’s family called a doctor who examined and referred him to Atharva Hospital. Initially he was admitted to a regular ward but later put on the ventilator after his condition deteriorated. Chirmade said he consulted the patient’s kin before stopping the ventilator and did not take the decision on his own,” a police officer said.
Two days after being admitted, Chandrakant began to respond to treatment. Then on Tuesday his condition worsened and he was unable to breathe.
Chandrakant’s son Atul said in the complaint, “As there was no sign of movement from my father, the doctor asked me to inform my relatives that he was almost dead. But I asked the doctor let my father remain on the ventilator and take him off it only on Wednesday morning. I would have lost my father if I had allowed the doctor to take him off the ventilator on Tuesday night itself.”
On Wednesday after completing the formalities around 9.30am, Chirmade took off the ventilator in front of Chandrakant’s family. A few minutes later he moved a little which the son noticed.
Investigators said they have approached the Maharashtra Medical Council to carry out a probe and submit a report in the matter. Chandrakant’s family has shifted him to another hospital.
The doctor’s stand: My successful career was ruined for no fault of mine. I am a cancer surgeon and I know my duty. The patient was brought unconscious and after I spent 48 hours in the hospital, he responded to the treatment. Removing the patient from ventilator was not my decision. It is the patient’s son who himself has signed the medical form before the ventilator was stopped in front of him and family members. – Dr Atul Chirmade
Charges against the doctor: Indian Penal Code Section 336 (act of endangering life or personal safety).
Source: Times of India
