Girl's right hand amputated following lapses in medical treatment: Doctors at Palakkad District Hospital suspended

KOLLENGODE: Two doctors at the Palakkad District Hospital have been suspended after a Class four student's right hand had to be amputated following alleged lapses in medical treatment. The suspended doctors are Junior Resident Dr Musthafa and Junior Consultant Dr Sarfaraz.

The two doctors were suspended based on findings that treatment protocols were not properly followed. The victim, Vinodhini, is the daughter of Pallassana natives Vinod and Praseeda, and a student of Ozhivupara ALP School.

The family lives near Velanthavalam in Kozhinjampara. On September 24, the child got injured while playing and was first taken to Chittur Taluk Hospital and later to the emergency department of Palakkad District Hospital. As the X-rays revealed fractures in two bones of her right forearm, the doctors applied a plaster cast. After returning home, the child complained of unbearable pain and revisited the hospital the next day. The doctors reportedly told the parents that the pain was normal because of skin swelling and provided basic treatment before sending her back. However, the family took the child to the hospital again on September 28 after pus and foul smell started coming from the plastered area. The family alleges that the hospital refused further treatment and asked them to go elsewhere.

On September 30, the girl was admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College, where doctors found that the infection had spread severely, forcing them to amputate her right hand. The family had earlier accused doctors and staff at the Palakkad District Hospital of negligence that led to the amputation.

Meanwhile, Hospital Superintendent PK Jayasree denied any medical negligence. She said the amputation was not due to the plaster applied at the district hospital but was the result of a rare complication. She added that the hospital had provided all necessary treatment to the child.