Nurse in Karnataka uses Fevikwik instead of stitches to treat boy’s deep wound

BENGALURU: A government nurse has been suspended for using Fevikwik, an instant adhesive, instead of stitches on a seven-year-old boy’s deep cheek cut. The incident happened on January 31 at Adoor Primary Health Centre (PHC) in Hanagal taluk, Haveri district.

The boy identified as Gurukishan was taken to the hospital after he sustained a deep cut on his cheek while playing. As the wound was bleeding, he was taken to the hospital. Instead of stitching the wound, the nurse used Fevikwick adhesive to close it. When the boy’s parents questioned it, she said that if stitched, it would leave a scar on his face and that Fevikwick was applied only on the surface of the skin.

The nurse said that she did not stitch the wound for the good of the boy and if his parents had objected in using Fevikwik, she would have referred him to another hospital. His parents had recorded a video of it on their phone and filed a complaint with the PHC’s health protection committee. District Health Officer Rajesh Suragihalli assured that strong action would be taken. He then directed the Guttal Health Center in Haveri to conduct a detailed investigation and submit a report.

However, the nurse's family members and relatives reached the hospital and demanded to withdraw the suspension. They demanded that no harm has been caused to the boy and demanded to revoke the suspension. After examining the boy, the doctor said his condition is satisfactory and there are no other problems on his skin where it was applied.