Medical Negligence: Child Underwent Tongue Surgery, Instead Of Finger (Photo on Facebook Odakkal Vajeeh)

After a medical negligence incident last year, the Kozhikode Government Medical College has been once again criticised for another carelessness by the doctors. A four-year-old six-fingered girl, admitted to conducting surgery to remove her extra finger, underwent a tongue surgery, instead of finger operation. 

The girl”s family later discovered the mistake when they saw the cotton put inside the child”s mouth. The family claimed that the hospital authority informed them that it was a mistake as they scheduled surgery for two children on the same day. 

Notably, Hospital Superintendent, Dr Arun Preet, said that the surgeon who came to conduct the operation diagnosed that the child had a medical condition called tongue-tie, and then he decided to operate it without asking consent from the parents. He was conducting the tough surgery before proceeding with the pre-scheduled finger surgery, the superintendent claimed. 

However, the superintendent admitted that there was a communication error, and said that an investigation has been ordered into the incident. He also said that the tough surgery would only benefit the child, and the doctor had corrected it before doing the surgery to remove the additional finger. 

Reacting to the incident, the State Health Minister asked the director of the medical college to conduct an immediate investigation and submit a comprehensive report. The child”s family has decided to file a complaint at the police station against those responsible for the error. The family also said the child had no pre-existing issue with the tongue and the hospital authority must take responsibility if the child goes through any unwanted side effects due to the surgery.