Kerala Health Minister Veena George criticized Leader of the Opposition V. D. Satheesan for allegedly provoking protests regarding a surgical mistake at Government Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha. The Minister stated that the government had already taken necessary actions in response. She expressed disapproval of the Youth Congress demonstration at her official residence, where protesters placed a wreath at the entrance.
The protests stemmed from an incident in 2021 where a surgical tool was reportedly left inside a patient’s abdomen during a procedure at the medical college hospital. Youth Congress members marched to the Minister’s residence with a wreath and breached police security to place it at the house’s entrance. The police later removed the wreath.
The situation revealed a security lapse as only three police personnel were present at the Minister’s residence initially. Additional forces arrived about 15 minutes after the protest began. Scuffles ensued as police tried to apprehend the demonstrators, who resisted efforts to detain them. Eventually, the protesters were dispersed.
Authorities at Ambalappuzha police have filed a case under Sections 125 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for endangering human life and personal safety. Dr. Lalithambika, the Head of the Department, has been accused based on a complaint by a patient’s relative, Usha Joseph. An expert committee from Thiruvananthapuram and Kottayam Medical Colleges will present its findings to the Director of Medical Education.
Dr. Shahida, the surgeon, and Nursing Officer Dhanya have been suspended following initial findings indicating a lapse during the procedure. Subsequent actions will be determined based on the panel’s final report.
