Nursing student dies during surgery at Tiruchi government hospital; colleagues stage protest

The death of a 19-year-old nursing student while in admission for a surgical procedure at the Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Government Hospital (MGMGH) in Tiruchi on Saturday (May 23, 2026) triggered a protest by over 300 nursing students of the K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College, attached to the hospital. A high-level inquiry committee, comprising doctors of the Madras Medical College and Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital (RGGGH), has been constituted to inquire into the “adverse medical event” pertaining to the student. According to hospital sources, third-year nursing student Seethalakshmi, from Manakudipatti village, Pudukottai district, had sought treatment at the MGMGH for persistent headache. After tests, the problem was diagnosed as being caused by a deviated nasal septum, requiring surgery.

“The patient was prepared for surgery on May 22, but suffered a cardiac arrest while anaesthesia was being administered. She was kept under observation in the Intensive Care Unit. Unfortunately, she passed away due to medical complications the following day. We will share the video and other documentation of the procedure as per standard operating protocol, with the inquiry committee,” dean S. Kumaravel, told The Hindu. In the meantime, nursing students blocked the road from 9 a.m. in front of the MGMGH entrance as they protested their colleague’s demise 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 assuming charge as Minister, District Collector V.

Saravanan, and senior officials held talks with the students. Inquiry panel to visit hospital In an order issued on Saturday, RGGGH dean, following instructions from the Additional Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare and Director of Medical Education and Research, constituted the committee that will visit K.A.P. Viswanatham Government Medical College and conduct an inquiry. N. Basker, medical superintendent, RGGGH, will head the committee, while M. Bharathi Mohan, professor of ENT, P. Shanmugasundaram, professor of Anaesthesia, Jayaprakash, professor of Medicine of RGGGH, are members of the committee, the order said. Compensation sought Tamil Nadu BJP president Nainar Nagendran has demanded a compensation of ₹25 lakh be provided to the family of the nursing student.

“It is incomprehensible why the TVK (Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam) government is handling government hospitals — the refuge of the poor — with such utter negligence. Upon coming to power, instead of taking swift measures to rectify the state’s deteriorating law and order, healthcare, and economy, if the Chief Minister spends time consulting on which rowdy should be given which post, how can such tragedies be prevented? At least now, the government must assess the quality of government hospitals and upgrade basic amenities,” Nainar Nagendran stated in a statement.