Madhya Pradesh heart surgery deaths: 'UK doctor' N John Camm detained from UP amid Damoh Hospital controversy

DAMOH: In a major breakthrough, police in Damoh district, Madhya Pradesh, have arrested N John Camm, alias Dr Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, from Uttar Pradesh. Camm is accused of performing unauthorized surgeries at Mission Hospital, which allegedly led to the deaths of seven patients.During his two-month tenure at the hospital, Camm examined around 70 patients and performed surgeries on 13, with seven of those patients dying after the procedures. Mission Hospital authorities stated that they hired him through a Bhopal-based agency at a salary of Rs 8 lakhs per month.Superintendent of Police (SP) Shrut Kirti Somavanshi confirmed Camm's detention from Prayagraj and said he is being questioned. "Communications are being made with hospitals across India where he has worked previously," the SP added. Camm is expected to be produced before the local court for remand.Damoh police have filed a case against Camm under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) and the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council Act, accusing him of forgery, unauthorized medical practice, and suspected involvement in patient fatalities. The complaint was lodged by Dr M.K. Jain, Chief Medical and Health Officer (CMHO) of Damoh, who noted that Camm performed angiography and angioplasty procedures without registration with the Madhya Pradesh Medical Council.Dr. Jain’s investigation revealed significant discrepancies in Camm’s credentials. Documents provided by Mission Hospital lacked essential registration details, and it was found that no doctor can legally practice in Madhya Pradesh without proper registration. Despite these concerns, the hospital failed to provide any registration documentation, raising further suspicions about Camm’s legitimacy.In light of these findings, Dr. Jain formally requested police action, citing violations under various sections of the BNS and the MP Medical Council Act. A formal case has been registered, and investigations are ongoing.The investigation came after a directive from District Collector Sudhir Kocher, leading to the formation of a three-member team, including Dr. Jain, Dr. Vishal Shukla (District Vaccination Officer), and Dr. Vikrant Singh Chauhan (District Health Officer). The team discovered that several patients died following procedures by Camm and found significant inconsistencies in his qualifications.When the team attempted to locate Camm at Mission Hospital, they were informed that he had resigned and left the institution. Further investigation into his credentials revealed that the registration number on his certificate from the Andhra Pradesh Medical Council was invalid. His name and registration number were not found in online databases, raising doubts about his qualifications.Camm’s disappearance from both the hospital and a hotel where he had been residing since February 12th added to the growing suspicions. Authorities are now investigating whether "N John Camm" is the same person as Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, who was previously arrested in Telangana for a cheating case.Several patients and their families have expressed concerns over discrepancies in Camm's qualifications. One such patient, Rahisa Begum, underwent angiography at Mission Hospital for chest pain, where a 90% blockage in her veins was discovered. Her son, Nabi, reported that the hospital charged Rs 50,000 for the treatment. In another case, Asaram sought treatment at Mission Hospital but was later transferred to Jabalpur Medical College, where he recovered without surgery.National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) member Priyank Kanungo and Deepak Tiwari, district president of the Child Welfare Committee, have raised alarms over the scandal, urging further investigation. Tiwari noted that many patients survived after transferring to other hospitals, further indicating potential negligence on the part of Camm.In 2023, a Twitter account under the name "Professor N John Camm" had attracted attention after tagging Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The authenticity of the account was questioned, leading to speculation that it might be linked to Dr. Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav. Camm had responded to these allegations by sending legal notices to those who criticized him.Camm, or Narendra Vikramaditya Yadav, claims to have obtained his MBBS from the University of North Bengal in 1996, MRCP from St. George's Hospital, London, in 2001, and training in interventional cardiology under Dr. A John Camm. However, questions about his qualifications and the authenticity of his credentials remain central to the investigation.Based on the evidence gathered, a case has been registered against Dr. Camm under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), including: