Influencer demands justice after hospital denies ECG for dying husband

A prominent local teacher and social media influencer from Ratchaburi province is demanding justice following the sudden death of her 30-year-old husband, alleging medical negligence after a hospital doctor reportedly refused to perform a basic electrocardiogram (ECG) test.

The case gained widespread attention on July 18 after Benyaporn Panpetch, widely known online as ‘Kru Sai’, shared the tragic ordeal on social media. She firmly believes that her husband's death could have been prevented had he received appropriate and timely medical care.

According to Benyaporn, her husband began experiencing severe pain radiating from his arm to his chest, accompanied by excessive sweating.

“Colleagues rushed him to a private hospital in Ban Pong district, where he was registered under the Social Security scheme,” she explained.

During the visit, the patient was shuffled through multiple departments before an orthopedic doctor suspected a cardiac issue and referred him to a general practitioner.

When the family requested an ECG, however, the general practitioner allegedly refused, dismissing the symptoms as mere stress or a panic attack.

Benyaporn stated that, despite the family's offers to pay out-of-pocket for additional testing or to have him transferred to another facility, their pleas were allegedly ignored. They were forced to take him home, where he suffered a fatal event later that evening.

An autopsy later revealed the cause of death to be acute coronary artery disease, with two main arteries severely blocked.

Benyaporn noted that, while the attending doctor later offered an apology for their poor bedside manner, it offered no comfort to the grieving family.

She questioned why a standard heart test was denied when the symptoms clearly pointed to a cardiac emergency.

The family has filed formal complaints with relevant healthcare authorities, calling for a comprehensive investigation into the hospital's treatment protocols and standards of care.

In response to the growing public outcry, San Camillo Hospital issued an official statement expressing its deepest condolences to the family.

The hospital management announced that a fact-finding committee, comprising independent medical experts, has been established to review thoroughly the entire treatment process.

Pending the outcome of the investigation, the hospital has ordered the treating physician to be suspended from all medical duties.