An assistant professor in the Emergency and Trauma Department at AIIMS Bhopal, who was battling for life for 25 days following an alleged overdose of an anaesthesia, has died.
Police said a suicide note was recovered from Dr Rashmi Verma’s home in which she stated she was taking her own life and that no one should be held responsible for her death, according to a report in India Today.
Doctor Attempted Suicide On December 11
According to police and hospital officials, Verma returned home after completing her duty on December 11 and allegedly administered herself a high dose of anaesthesia. Her condition deteriorated soon after, prompting family members to rush her to AIIMS Bhopal. By the time she reached the hospital, around 25 minutes had passed
and her heart had reportedly stopped functioning for nearly seven minutes.
Doctors at the emergency department immediately initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). After three rounds, her heartbeat was restored, but she had already suffered severe brain damage due to prolonged oxygen deprivation. An MRI conducted 72 hours later confirmed “global hypoxic brain injury”, a condition doctors say offers very limited chances of recovery.
Battle For Life For 25 Days
The doctor remained on ventilator support in the main ICU for 25 days. Despite continuous efforts by a team of specialists, her condition did not improve. AIIMS authorities said she died on January 5 at around 11 am, after which her body was handed over to the family.
Police said the suicide note recovered from her residence has been sent for handwriting verification. “On December 11, she allegedly took a high dose of anaesthesia injection at home. When her health worsened, family members admitted her to AIIMS, where she was undergoing treatment. She died during treatment on January 5. A suicide note was recovered from the spot and has been sent for handwriting examination. Family members have not made any allegations against anyone,” the report quoted ACP Aditi Bhavsar as saying.
A case of unnatural death has been registered and the post-mortem report is awaited.
Family Says She Was Under Depression
Family members told police that she had been under emotional stress following her father’s death and was suffering from depression. They said she had not raised any work-related complaints. Her husband, Dr Manmohan Shakya, an orthopaedic specialist, brought her to the hospital in an unconscious state.
Verma had completed her MBBS from Motilal Nehru Medical College, Prayagraj, and her MD from BRD Medical College, Gorakhpur. She had also served at LN Medical College and PMS Bhopal. Known as a dedicated doctor, she often helped needy patients at her own expense and served as the nodal officer for CPR training programmes. Police said all aspects of the case are under investigation.
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