SGH neurosurgery head did not report patient’s death to coroner; cops alerted a year later

He assumed he had discretion over whether to report the death.

CNA reported that the death certificate stated the cause of death as “malignant neoplasm – brain, unspecified”, which Rao said was intended to indicate that Tan had died of a brain tumour.

However, a forensic pathologist from the Health Sciences Authority indicated that a possible cause of death was instead bleeding complications during surgical intervention for the tumour.

NNI informed the coroner about the case in February 2025, and the police were alerted the following month.

No autopsy was performed due to the delay.

On Oct 14, investigation officer Benedict Lim testified that Tan had a brain tumour.

Rao attended to her, and she agreed to undergo brain surgery on Jan 3, 2024.

However, the medical team later faced difficulties in stopping the bleeding during the operation.

Tan lost about three litres of blood.

Rao stopped the operation, and told Tan’s family about her poor prognosis.

She died six days later.

CNA reported that an independent expert witness, who was called by the state, told the court it was obvious to him that the case should have been reported to the coroner, but said he empathised with Rao.

The expert said: “Yes, the death should have been reported because that is in our training and experience from the time we started this speciality; that has been one of the things that is highlighted.

“However, the academic knowledge of it sometimes can be marred by emotions.”

State Coroner Adam Nakhoda will give his findings at a later date.