Justice served: Medical negligence victim Harsheena secures government job after years of protest

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a significant development, the Kerala state government has granted a permanent appointment to Harsheena—the victim of a high-profile medical negligence case—as an Office Assistant at the Kozhikode Medical College. The hospital superintendent is scheduled to officially hand over the appointment order today.
Reacting to the decision, Harsheena expressed relief, stating that justice has finally been served. She noted that the government's action stands as a vindication against those who ridiculed her during her prolonged public protests.
The breakthrough followed a meeting at the Secretariat on Monday morning, where Harsheena and her family met with Chief Minister V. D. Satheesan and Health Minister K. Muraleedharan. According to Harsheena, the Chief Minister assured her that the government would provide rightful financial compensation alongside the employment order.
The case dates back to 2017, when a pair of surgical scissors was accidentally left inside Harsheena's abdomen during a cesarean section at the government facility. The foreign object went undetected for five years, causing severe health complications before it was finally removed. Harsheena acknowledged the consistent support of V. D. Satheesan, who championed her cause both during his tenure as Leader of the Opposition and in his current role as Chief Minister.
Despite the resolution regarding her employment, Harsheena highlighted that she continues to battle chronic health issues resulting from the prolonged negligence. While the Chief Minister has promised state-sponsored medical assistance for her ongoing treatment, Harsheena emphasised that her legal battle will continue until the medical professionals responsible are held accountable.