A doctor at Kozhikode Medical College in Kerala performed surgery on a child’s tongue instead of her finger. He was suspended after the incident sparked a controversy.
The girl was admitted for the removal of her sixth finger. However, upon coming out of the operating theatre, the family was shocked to discover that the operation had been performed on her tongue.
The parents alleged that when questioned, the doctor claimed that a cyst had been diagnosed inside the mouth, necessitating tongue surgery. The family refuted this, asserting there had been no issue with the girl’s tongue and condemning the doctor’s negligence as “shameful”.
A family member stated that hospital authorities informed them it was a mistake, as surgeries for two children had been scheduled on the same date.
The incident sparked outrage in the state, prompting Health Minister Veena George to suspend Dr. Bijon Johnson after receiving a report from the Director of Medical Education.
The minister has issued strict instructions for hospitals to adhere strictly to surgery and other medical procedure protocols.
A police case was filed against the doctor based on a complaint from the girl’s family, citing 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).