AIIMS officials confirmed that Dr Verma allegedly administered a high dose of anesthesia to herself after returning home with a cannula inserted, allowing the drug to enter her bloodstream directly. By the time she was rushed back to the hospital by her husband, she had suffered cardiac arrest. Doctors performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation three times, restoring her heartbeat after about seven minutes.
An MRI conducted 72 hours later revealed extensive brain injury, with doctors diagnosing her condition as “global hypoxic brain injury,” caused by prolonged oxygen deprivation to the brain. Medical experts said the condition is critical and carries a high risk of permanent neurological damage. Dr Verma remains on ventilator support, and her condition is being monitored closely.
Beyond the medical emergency, the case has triggered serious administrative action amid allegations of excessive workplace pressure and a toxic work environment. During Sunday’s emergency meeting, the AIIMS administration ordered the immediate removal of Dr Mohammad Yunus from his post as head of the Trauma and Emergency Department. He has been attached to the Anesthesia Department and will report to the department’s head, Dr Vaishali.
In a significant structural change, AIIMS announced the division of the Trauma and Emergency Medicine Department into two separate units. The Trauma Department will now function independently under the Neurosurgery Department, headed by Dr Amit Agrawal, and will handle accident and critical injury cases. Emergency Medicine has been placed under the Medicine Department, with Dr Rajneesh Joshi, head of Medicine, given charge.
The institute has also formed a confidential, high-level inquiry committee that will report directly to the Union Health Ministry. The panel will examine allegations of departmental factionalism, administrative pressure, and what doctors describe as a rigid “notice culture” within the Trauma and Emergency Department. Officials said the inquiry will assess whether institutional stress contributed to the incident.
The committee will additionally review earlier complaints from the department, including a pending complaint filed by another assistant professor, Dr Shruti, against Dr Yunus. Sources said internal disputes and repeated complaints of pressure tactics will be scrutinised as part of the broader probe.
According to officials, the investigation may extend beyond the Trauma and Emergency Department. Complaints related to other departments, including Nephrology and Ophthalmology, are also under preliminary review. The administration is preparing to act on allegations of private practice and claims that some doctors pressured patients to undergo specific tests or purchase medicines and consumables from designated centres.
The case has sparked renewed debate within the medical fraternity over mental health support for doctors working in high-pressure government institutions. While the inquiry is ongoing, AIIMS officials said further administrative action will follow if systemic lapses or misconduct are established.
