Police yet to refer Shamna Tasnim death case to expert panel

Kochi: The police is yet to formally hand over the request to constitute the medical board or expert panel to look into the case of medical negligence in the death of MBBS student at Ernakulam Government Medical College Shamna Tasnim. District Medical Officer (DMO) Dr N.K. Kuttappan told this newspaper on Tuesday that he was yet to receive a letter in this regard from the City Police Commissioner. “We queried with the office of the police commissioner following press reports that the same had been forwarded to the DMO’s office, they said that it is being prepared and will be forwarded to the DMO’s office soon,” Dr Kuttappan said.

He also said that there would be only three members in this panel. “We call it expert panel and not medical board. The expert panel consists of three officials, a Government Pleader, a Forensic Surgeon and the DMO. The opinions of experts including specialist doctors will be solicited depending on cases. No police official is present on the panel,” said Dr Kuttappan. He said that he would consult the Director of Health Services (DHS) on the aspect of specialists from General Hospital sitting in judgment in the case of Shamna involving doctors from the Ernakulam Government Medical College Hospital.

“It is for the first time such an issue has come before me. Specialists in General Hospital are vastly experienced. After consulting the DHS it will be decided which specialists should be consulted for expert opinion on various aspects related to the case,” Dr Kuttappan said. Health Minister K.K.  Shylaja reiterated to DC on Tuesday that she was trying to bring the probe report by Joint DME to the agenda of Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting.