After a botched surgery on a child sparked outrage in Kerala, the state government took action by suspending Associate Professor Dr. Bejohn Johnson pending an inquiry. Health Minister Veena George made the suspension announcement after receiving a report from the Director of Medical Education, who was tasked with conducting an immediate investigation into the incident earlier in the day.
An official statement indicated that the minister has also instructed for a thorough inquiry to be carried out and additional measures to be taken, as per a report on PTI.
George has issued stringent directives to hospitals to ensure proper adherence to protocols, the statement added.
Recently, a four-year-old girl was taken into the operating theatre at the Government Medical College Hospital on Thursday for the removal of her sixth finger. However, hours later, after the surgery, it was revealed that the operation had been carried out on the wrong part of her body—her tongue.
The family of the girl was stunned by the error, which became apparent when they discovered cotton stuffed in the child's mouth after the surgery, prompting them to delve deeper into the matter. Upon closer examination, they realised that the surgery had been performed on her tongue instead of her hand, as originally intended.
Based on a complaint by the girl's family, the police registered a case against Dr Johnson.
An officer at the Kozhikode Medical College police station stated that the doctor has been charged under IPC Sections 336 (endangering the life or personal safety of others) and 337 (causing hurt by an act endangering the life or personal safety of others).
The child's family reiterated that the child had no issues with her tongue, further emphasizing the severity of the medical error.
"No one should have such an experience again at the Medical College Hospital," they said.
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