23-Year-Old Pakistani Patient Receiving Treatment At Chennai Hospital Dies

A 23-year-old Pakistani national undergoing treatment in Chennai has passed away after spending over two months on ECMO life support, a Chennai hospital confirmed on Monday. The patient had been admitted on February 12 with severe respiratory complications resulting from interstitial lung disease.

Despite intensive treatment at MGM Healthcare, including 70 days of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO), the patient succumbed to his illness on the evening of April 25, the hospital said in a statement, as per a report on PTI. ECMO is a critical care procedure used when both the heart and lungs are severely compromised and unable to sustain life without external support.

His remains were handed over to a family member who had been caring for him during his stay. The body was then taken to the airport for repatriation to Pakistan.

Doctors had previously expressed concerns about the patient’s condition, stating that any attempt to transfer him back to Pakistan during treatment would require mechanical ventilation and could pose serious risks to his fragile health.

India-Pakistan Relations Post Pahalgam Attack 

The incident comes during a tense period in India-Pakistan relations. Following the April 22 terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians — including 25 tourists — India announced a series of stringent measures, including the revocation of all visas issued to Pakistani nationals. Medical visa holders were instructed to leave India by April 29, 2025, and the Indian government formally cancelled all valid Pakistani visas on April 27.

Chennai has long been a medical hub for foreign nationals, including patients from Pakistan seeking specialized care. In recent days, many Pakistani patients have been discharged or repatriated in compliance with the new visa regulations. Authorities are coordinating the return of the deceased’s mother, who had accompanied him, along with the body.

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