Stitched wound without removing glass fragments; Shocking negligence at Alappuzha Medical College

AMBALAPUZHA: A young man’s wound on his leg was sutured by doctors without even caring to remove the pierced glass pieces. The incident took place at the Alappuzha Medical College Hospital. The glass fragment was removed only the other day. The glass was surgically removed from the stitched wound on the leg of Ananthu (27), a Punnapra native. The surgery was completed at the Punnapra Sagara Cooperative Hospital. Ananthu had to walk with pain for five and a half months. Medical College Superintendent Dr A. Harikumar ordered an investigation into the incident.

Ananthu was injured in a road accident at 9 pm on July 17. He was then taken to the Alappuzha Medical College, where the wound on his right leg was stitched and plastered, and he was admitted for two days for treatment. The stitches were removed on the 28th, and Ananthu was asked to return home.

However, the pain persisted, and Ananthu, a light and sound worker, had to remain at home. In the meantime, the swelling burst, and he sought treatment at the Medical College Hospital on December 22. However, the doctors in the Ortho department suggested that it was likely a case of diabetes. In a test conducted later, the doctors asked Ananthu to be moved into the ICU, saying that his sugar level was high.

However, Ananthu sought treatment at the Cooperative Hospital due to the lack of beds in the medical college. During the examination, a piece of glass was found in the area where the stitches were sewn, and it was removed through surgery.

The young man's family filed a complaint with the District Collector against the hospital authorities for negligence. The Ambalapuzha police went to Ananthu's house yesterday and recorded his statement. The statement of the doctor who removed the glass was also recorded.