In a tragic incident, a young doctor from the prestigious All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Bhopal has died nearly a month after she allegedly attempted to take her own life. Dr Rashmi Verma, a 38-year-old Assistant Professor in the Emergency and Trauma Department, passed away on Monday after a prolonged battle for survival.
A Prolonged Fight for Life in the ICU
The distressing sequence of events began on the morning of December 11. According to police reports, Dr Verma allegedly injected herself with a high dose of an anaesthesia drug at her residence in Adharshila Colony, Awadhpuri. It is reported that the quantity involved was around 100 ml.
She was rushed to AIIMS Bhopal and admitted around 10 am on the same day. Immediately placed on ventilator support in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), she remained under continuous medical care. A team of specialists provided close monitoring and sustained treatment efforts for 25 days. Despite their relentless attempts, her condition did not improve, and she succumbed on Monday.
Police Investigation and the Suicide Note
The Awadhpuri police swiftly registered a case and initiated an investigation into the incident. Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Aditi Bhawsar provided crucial details about the probe. Investigators recovered a suicide note from Dr Verma's home. In the note, she had written that she alone was responsible for her death.
Police have recorded statements from her immediate family members, including her husband Dr Manmohan Shaqya, her mother, and her brother. However, ACP Bhawsar stated that the family's accounts did not reveal any specific circumstances or reasons that might have prompted her to take such an extreme step. The family resides with the couple's 8-year-old son.
Profile of the Deceased and Her Family
Dr Rashmi Verma was a qualified MD in Medicine and held a significant position as an Assistant Professor in the Emergency and Trauma Centre at AIIMS Bhopal. Her husband, Dr Manmohan Shaqya, is an orthopaedic surgeon at a private hospital in the city. The couple was well-established in the medical community of Bhopal.
The sudden and shocking nature of her death has sent ripples of grief through the AIIMS campus and the wider medical fraternity in Madhya Pradesh. Colleagues remember her as a dedicated professional who served in one of the most critical departments of the hospital.
Unanswered Questions and Community Grief
While the police investigation continues, the primary evidence remains the suicide note where Dr Verma absolved everyone else of blame. The lack of a clear motive from family statements leaves many questions unanswered, highlighting the often-hidden struggles with mental health, even among healthcare providers.
The incident underscores the immense pressure faced by medical professionals, especially those working in high-stress environments like emergency and trauma care. It serves as a somber reminder of the need for robust mental health support systems within the medical community.
The final rites were performed by the grieving family as the city and her institution mourn the loss of a promising doctor and academic.
