PANAJI
Amid questions over the presence of a syringe and an anaesthesia vial near the body of a 23-year-old intern doctor at Hawaii beach, Goa Medical College (GMC) on Thursday said it was unaware how the substances reached the scene. The hospital authorities however acknowledged that interns have access to such medicines during their hospital training.
The deceased, a native of Kerala, was found dead on Wednesday evening, prompting GMC Dean Prof Dr Jai Prakash Tiwari to convene an emergency meeting at the institute Thursday morning. The Panaji police are simultaneously conducting an investigation.
Addressing the media after the meeting, GMC Medical Superintendent Dr Rajesh Patil said the medical institute had no information on how the anaesthetic drug and syringe ended up near the victim's body.
“It is a matter of probe... Anaesthetic drugs are scheduled substances and cannot be procured without a prescription. However, interns have access to it (during their training at the hospital),” Patil said.
He stressed that the exact cause of death would be established only after the post-mortem examination and the outcome of the police investigation.
Responding to questions about the intern’s mental health, Patil said she had a “slight problem” but maintained that it was not serious.
He further disclosed that they had earlier informed the victim’s parents, both doctors at their native in Kerala, about her low attendance record.
“We never faced any issues from her side during her internship... but we had informed her parents earlier regarding low attendance. At that time, her parents came to GMC, took her home and later brought her back,” he said.
The MS added that GMC provides counselling support to students and interns, particularly those living away from their families.
Earlier in the day, Panaji police said preliminary findings suggested the intern was suffering from depression. Police said statements recorded from family members indicated she had previously attempted suicide.
