Kerala Shocker: Doctor Performs Surgery on Tongue Instead of Finger! Suspended

Kozhikode: In a shocking incident, a Government doctor in Kerala, working in the post of Associate Professor, has recently been suspended by the State Government for allegedly conducting surgery on a four-year-old girl's tongue instead of her finger.

According to PTI report, the little girl was taken to the operating theatre at the Government Medical College Hospital on Thursday for the removal of her sixth finger. However, hours later, when she emerged from the surgery, it was discovered that the operation was performed on her tongue 'mistakenly'.

Apart from being suspended by the State Health Minister Veena George, the treating doctor has also been booked under IPC Sections 336 (endangering the life or personal safety of others) and 337, an officer at the Kozhikode Medical College police station informed. 

The doctor was booked based on a complaint lodged by the girl's family who informed that the child had no issue with her tongue.

PTI has reported that the alleged error on the part of the doctor came to light when the family of the girl were shocked to find cotton stuffed in the child's mouth post-surgery, prompting them to investigate the matter further.

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As per the latest media report by The Statesman, after the operation, the duty nurse advised the patient's family to give her ice cream. At that time, the family noticed the presence of the cotton. Therefore they questioned the nurse regarding this. When they changed the cloth on her hand, it was noticed that the sixth finger was still there. 

Meanwhile, the superintendent of the medical college clarified that the child also had issues with her tongue. However, the relatives of the girl said that she did not have any such problem and they also mentioned that they did not come for that surgery.

Realising his mistake, the treating doctor reportedly apologized to them saying that it was a mistake on his part. Immediately, he performed another surgery to remove the sixth finger, reports the Statesman. The parents of the child further filed a case of medical negligence claiming their consent was not sought for the operation on the tongue.

Since the issue created an uproar in the State, the Government also initiated action. 

Health Minister Veena George announced an inquiry into the matter asking the DME to submit a report after conducting a detailed probe into the incident. Based on the report received from the Director of Medical Education (DME), the Minister announced the decision to suspend Associate Professor Dr Johnson, pending an inquiry.

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.

Commenting on the matter, the child's family said, "No one should have such an experience again at the Medical College Hospital." Further, they added that the hospital authorities should take responsibility if there are any 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," said a family member.

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