Doctor suspended after mix up in surgery performed on child at Kerala govt hospital
Kozhikode (Kerala), May 16: 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, who was asked to conduct an immediate investigation into the incident earlier in the day.
An official statement said the minister has also directed that a detailed inquiry is conducted and further action taken.
George has given strict directives to the hospitals to strictly follow the protocols, it said.
Meanwhile, the family has lodged a complaint with the police, seeking action against those responsible for the grave error.
"No one should have such an experience again at the Medical College Hospital," the child's family said. They said that the child had no issue with her tongue.
The family also said the hospital authorities should take responsibility if there are adverse consequences for the child due to the procedure.
"The hospital authorities informed us that it was a mistake as they had scheduled surgery for two children on the same date," a family member said.
A family member said the doctor had apologised to the family for the error.
Expressing shock over the incident, Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly V D Satheesan said it was "serious medical malpractice" and sought strict disciplinary action against those who are responsible for it.
"Presently, the government's actions seem to undo the progress Kerala has achieved in the health sector over the years," he said in a statement here.
Satheesan alleged that the credibility of government hospitals is being questioned due to repeated medical errors.
"Apart from just asking for a report right away, what steps has the health department and the minister taken to address each incident? This isn't the first problem at Kozhikode Medical College," he pointed out, recalling the case of Harshina, who protested after a device got stuck in her stomach during surgery."
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Another North Goa nightclub sealed; Kejriwal says corruption led to fire tragedy
Panaji (PTI): As part of a crackdown against tourist establishments violating laws and safety norms in the aftermath of the Arpora fire tragedy, Goa authorities on Saturday sealed a renowned club at Vagator and revoked the fire department NOC of another club.
Cafe CO2 Goa, located on a cliff overlooking the Arabian Sea at Vagator beach in North Goa, was sealed. The move came two days after Goya Club, also in Vagator, was shut down for alleged violations of rules.
Elsewhere, campaigning for local body polls, AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal said the fire incident at Birch by Romeo Lane nightclub at Arpora, which claimed 25 lives on December 6, happened because the BJP government in the state was corrupt.
An inspection of Cafe CO2 Goa by a state government-appointed team revealed that the establishment, with a seating capacity of 250, did not possess a no-objection certificate (NOC) of the Fire and Emergency Services Department. The club, which sits atop Ozrant Cliff, also did not have structural stability, the team found.
The Fire and Emergency Services on Saturday also revoked the NOC issued to Diaz Pool Club and Bar at Anjuna as the fire extinguishers installed in the establishment were found to be inadequate, said divisional fire officer Shripad Gawas.
A notice was issued to Nitin Wadhwa, the partner of the club, he said in the order.
Campaigning at Chimbel village near Panaji in support of his party's Zilla Panchayat election candidate, Aam Aadmi Party leader Kejriwal said the nightclub fire at Arpora happened because of the "corruption of the Pramod Sawant-led state government."
"Why this fire incident happened? I read in the newspapers that the nightclub had no occupancy certificate, no building licence, no excise licence, no construction licence or trade licence. The entire club was illegal but still it was going on," he said.
"How could it go on? Couldn't Pramod Sawant or anyone else see it? I was told that hafta (bribe) was being paid," the former Delhi chief minister said.
A person can not work without bribing officials in the coastal state, Kejriwal said, alleging that officers, MLAs and even ministers are accepting bribes.
