Kerala govt doctor operates on child’s tongue instead of finger, suspended
Health Minister Veena George announced the decision to suspend the doctor after receiving a report from the Director of Medical Education.
2 min read
The shocked family of the girl said the error came to light when they found cotton stuffed in the child’s mouth post-surgery, prompting them to investigate the matter further. (Representational Image)A four-year-old girl in Kerala was wheeled into an operating theatre at the Government Medical College Hospital here on Thursday for the removal of her sixth finger. Hours later, when she emerged from surgery, it was discovered that the operation was performed on the wrong part — her tongue.
The shocked family of the girl said the error came to light when they found cotton stuffed in the child’s mouth post-surgery, prompting them to investigate the matter further.
Upon closer inspection, they found that the surgery was performed on her tongue, not on her hand as intended. As the issue created an uproar in Kerala, the state government initiated action, suspending Associate Professor Dr Bejohn Johnson, pending an inquiry.
Health Minister Veena George announced the decision to suspend the doctor after receiving a report from the Director of Medical Education.
An official statement said the minister has also directed that a detailed inquiry be conducted and further action taken.
George has given strict directives to the hospitals to ensure that protocols are followed correctly, it said. Meanwhile, the police registered a case against Dr Johnson based on a complaint lodged by the girl’s family.
According to an officer at the Kozhikode Medical College police station, the doctor has been booked under IPC Sections 336 (endangering the life or personal safety of others) and 337. The child’s family said that the child had no issue with her tongue.
“No one should have such an experience again at the Medical College Hospital,” they said. The family also said the hospital authorities should take responsibility if there are adverse consequences for the child due to the procedure. ”The hospital authoritiestold us that it was a mistake as they had scheduled surgery for two children on the same date,” a family member.
You May Like
