Is there no end to this system failure?
No one can underestimate the vital role played by government medical college hospitals in the state’s healthcare sector. People also recognise the tireless and invaluable service of doctors working in these institutions. We have earlier written editorial and news reports about the unfairness of the government ignoring the ongoing protests by these doctors over issues, including salary arrears, and even carried it as a major news report recently. However, when incidents in which patients lose their lives or are forced to suffer lifelong due to medical errors or negligence by hospital staff continue to occur, it becomes difficult to dismiss the criticism about a “system failure.”
In 2021, during a surgery at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital, a pair of scissors used in the procedure was reportedly left inside the abdomen of Usha Joseph, a native of Punnapra. She has been suffering pain and distress ever since- for nearly five years. Only recently did the truth come out when another doctor advised an X-ray examination, which revealed the scissors inside her body. It is alleged that when she earlier reached the hospital with the X-ray film, she was given painkillers and sent back. She has now been admitted to Amrita Hospital in Kochi, where an emergency surgery has been recommended. As usual, a preliminary inquiry has been conducted and the report has been submitted to the District Medical Officer. The report itself indicates that a medical error occurred. Yet, few expect any exemplary action against the doctor responsible.
In a similar case, Harshina from Kozhikode has been suffering for years after a pair of scissors was left inside her abdomen during a caesarean surgery at the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. It has been three years since she began protesting, demanding action against those responsible and adequate compensation. Recently, a heart patient lost his life at Vilappilssala Government Hospital after he failed to receive timely treatment. It was reported that when he reached the hospital after midnight seeking emergency care, no one opened the hospital doors. Just yesterday, another complaint surfaced that a Class 9 student’s hand became deformed after a plaster was applied following surgery at Konni Government Medical College Hospital.
There have been several treatment errors reported in government medical colleges over the past six months, and listing all of them here would require much more space. Those who proudly present the state’s healthcare system as the “Kerala model” must now answer one question: what has happened to a system that was once seen as a model? In any field, mistakes usually lead to strict punishment. But when it comes to doctors who hold people’s lives in their hands, why do the Health Department and the government show delay and hesitation? Beyond inquiries, reports, nominal suspensions, or occasional transfers, strong action is rarely seen. This lack of strict accountability may be one reason why such errors continue to repeat. At least in the Alappuzha case, strict action has become absolutely necessary.