Another surgery lapse in Kozhikode Medical College; youth complaints of placing rod in wrong hand

KOZHIKODE: Another surgery lapse in Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. The complaint is that a rod was placed in the wrong hand of a 24-year-old youth Ajith. The lapse was noticed when he sustained severe pain after the surgery. His mother said that when the incident came to light, the doctor said another surgery would be conducted at night. Ajith said that when they refused, the doctor got angry.

Ajith was admitted to the medical college hospital following an accident. He spent nearly a week in the hospital for surgery. They extended the surgery by a week even after noticing the fracture. Another patient’s rod was placed in Ajith’s hand. The youth's mother said the rod they bought for the surgery was not placed on her son’s hand. He was given anesthesia when the pain was unbearable. His mother said they bought surgical equipment worth Rs 3000 but the doctor did not use any of it.

Meantime, a similar incident happened in Kozhikode Medical College last Thursday. A four-year-old girl who came for treatment at the Mother and Child Care Center, suffered a surgical error. The police registered a case on the family's complaint that the girl was operated on her tongue instead of her finger. The case was registered against associate professor Dr Bejohn Johnson. The doctor was suspended pending an investigation.

Minister Veena George had directed the director of the medical education department to conduct an investigation and submit a report urgently. The action was based on this. The minister had also directed to conduct a detailed investigation and take further action. The superintendent of the medical college had earlier announced that action would be taken against the doctor for the lapse.

The surgery was performed on her tongue, who was admitted to the hospital to remove her sixth finger. A native of Madura Bazar in Cheruvannur had an unfortunate experience. Meantime, Kerala Govt Medical College Teachers Association (KGMCTA) came forward justifying the doctor in the incident. The medical college teachers' association KGMCTA termed the suspension as unfortunate.

The quick suspension without a proper investigation is unfortunate. KGMCTA said in a statement that such actions will demoralize the medical college teachers rendering commendable service even in adverse circumstances.