‘No leniency from govt in cases of medical negligence’; detailed investigation will be conducted on Usha Joseph’s complaint

ALAPPUZHA: Health Minister Veena George said that a detailed investigation will be conducted into the complaint of Usha Joseph, who faced medical negligence at Vandanam Medical College. The minister responded that the incident which shouldn’t have happened has happened and this causes a lot of pain. The minister said that a preliminary investigation was ordered as soon as the information came to light and that the medical officer was asked to appoint a committee to investigate based on the report. The minister added that the investigation in the complaint will begin today itself.

'Have given directions to submit a report as soon as possible. All legal steps will be taken based on that report. The report will be handed over to the police. An investigation will be conducted into matters like who all has retired who were present at the time of the surgery, is there anyone in service, etc. and those in service will be suspended pending investigation.

Spoke to Usha Joseph's son. They said they had met the doctor several times. An investigation will be conducted into all these issues. The preliminary report says Usha was admitted to the hospital on May 10, 2021. The surgery was performed on May 12 and was discharged on 15th. The doctor does not remember such a case, but remembers of not performing the surgery. How is that possible?

Whether the doctors who receive non-practicing allowance are conducting private practice at home and the allegations of giving bribe will come under this investigation. According to the World Health Organization protocol, scrub nurses and doctors are equally responsible. Without scrub nurses, no surgery can be performed in medical colleges, and they are in charge of the surgical equipment.

The primary responsibility of the government is to provide basic facilities and staff. However, the lapses in operations occur on the part of individuals. Strict legal action will be taken in such individual lapses. While all the systems are in place in medical colleges, the government considers performing surgeries in violation of protocol as an extremely serious issue.

The government's policy is to find a solution to such pains experienced by the common people during the UDF era or the LDF era. Only those who have suffered for years due to surgical errors can understand the hardships of others. It should not be said under any circumstances that there is no issue if the device is in the stomach. Therefore, there will be no leniency from the government in such lapses. Legal proceedings will be expedited in all cases. A medical board will be formed in the case of Usha, who is undergoing treatment in a private hospital. The government will supervise further steps including the surgery,' the minister said.