Botched surgery on 4-year-old at Kozhikode MCH: Police to file chargesheet

Kozhikode: Following the suspension of a government doctor at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital (MCH) for allegedly conducting surgery on a four-year-old girl's tongue instead of her finger, the five-member Medical board constituted under the direction of Health Minister Veena George found negligence on the part of the doctor.

Conducting a detailed enquiry into the case, the board cross-referenced various documents such as treatment records, duty registers, statements provided to the police by the staff on duty, and the FIR filed by the police. Based on their inquiry, they confirmed the doctor's accusation of medical negligence to be true.

Following this, the board handed over the report to the police on Saturday for further investigation and a chargesheet will be filed against the doctor soon. The medical board consists of five members including a police surgeon with the District Medical Officer serving as the head.

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Medical Dialogues team had earlier reported the incident where the doctor working in the post of Associate Professor was suspended by the State Government for allegedly conducting surgery on a four-year-old girl's tongue instead of her finger.

The little girl was taken to the operating theatre at the Government Medical College Hospital 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 State Health Minister Veena George, the treating doctor was also booked under Indian Penal Code (IPC) Sections 336 (endangering the life or personal safety of others) and 337.

After 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. However, The parents of the child further filed a case of medical negligence claiming their consent was not sought for the operation on the tongue.

Earlier the police had also confirmed that the doctor operated on the tongue instead of the child's finger.

Medical College Assistant Commissioner of Police KE Premachandran told Onmanorama, “The report confirms the negligence on the part of the duty doctor. Also, it reiterates the police team's findings. We will file a charge sheet against the doctor."

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