An 18-month-old boy named Devansh Shouria passed away at a private hospital in Kannur, Kerala, five days after experiencing severe complications following anaesthesia for a minor lip injury treatment. Devansh, the only child of T. Suraj and Vijisha from Mathamangalam in Eramam-Kuttoor grama panchayat, fell and injured his lip on July 5. He was taken to Baby Memorial Hospital in Payyannur for stitches under anaesthesia.
The child’s health deteriorated soon after receiving the anaesthesia, and he did not regain consciousness. Subsequently, he was transferred to the hospital’s Kannur unit for advanced care, where he sadly passed away around 9 p.m. on Friday. Allegations of medical negligence led to the filing of a case against the anaesthetist, Dr. Anjali Poduval, under Section 125 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita by the Payyannur Police, following a complaint by the child’s relative, K. Rajeevan.
Baby Memorial Hospital refuted claims of negligence, stating that the child suffered an unforeseen cardiac arrest post-anaesthesia. The hospital clarified that immediate emergency measures were taken, including ventilator support and transfer to the Kannur facility for specialized critical care. Emphasizing adherence to medical protocols, the hospital acknowledged the rare occurrence of complications despite proper anaesthesia administration, highlighting the exhaustive efforts made to save the child.
