Eight-year-old girl's hand amputated: Report gives clean chit to Palakkad district hosp doctors

PALAKKAD: The investigation report gave a clean chit to doctors of Palakkad District Hospital, who were accused of medical negligence that resulted in the amputation of the hands of an eight-year-old girl. The Kerala Government Medical Officers Association (KGMOA) has also come forward in support of the doctors on the issue. In the report, it is said that the doctors administered all effective treatment to the child promptly.

The blood flow in the child’s hand had stopped when she was rushed to the hospital on September 30. The report also points out that after providing primary treatment at the Palakkad District Hospital, the child was shifted to a hospital in Kozhikode. Two doctors appointed by the Palakkad DMO investigated the complaint. The report was prepared based on the statements of the duty doctor and the head of the department. The report was handed over to the DMO.

Vinodini, daughter of Pallassana natives Vinod and Praseeda and a student of ALP School in Ozhivupara, had her hand amputated. The family lives near Velanthavalam in Kozhinjampara. The child was injured after falling while playing on September 24 and was first admitted to the Chittoor Taluk Hospital and then to the emergency department of the district hospital. Two bones in her right wrist were found to be fractured, and a plaster cast was applied.

Even after reaching home, the child could not bear the pain and was rushed again to the hospital. She was provided primary treatment, and the doctors said the pain was normal because of the skin abrasion. The child was taken again to the hospital on the 28th when pus and a foul odour started to ooze from the area where the plaster was applied. However, the doctors sent back the child and her parents, suggesting they approach a more advanced hospital for further treatment.

The child was admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on the 30th, and her hand was amputated after it was found that the pus had spread. The family alleged medical negligence from the doctors of Palakkad District Hospital for the child losing her forearm.

However, the hospital DMO's preliminary investigation report stated that the services of doctors from the orthopaedic department of the district hospital were made available in the emergency department on the day the child was injured. The report also states that appropriate treatment was given to the broken bones and blood flow was ensured to the hand. The next day, the examination was carried out.