Kerala Health Minister Orders Expert Probe After Surgical Forceps Found in Woman's Abdomen Five Years Post-Operation
In a shocking medical negligence case, Kerala Health Minister Veena George has ordered the establishment of an expert committee to investigate how surgical forceps were discovered inside the abdomen of a 51-year-old woman nearly five years after her operation at Alappuzha Government Medical College Hospital in Vandanam.
Minister Directs Immediate Investigation Based on Preliminary Findings
The Health Ministry had initiated a preliminary inquiry immediately after the incident came to light, with the report subsequently submitted to the District Medical Officer (DMO). "I asked the DMO to set up a committee to carry out an investigation based on the preliminary report. The expert committee will submit its report as quickly as possible," stated Minister George during her announcement.
She emphasized that decisive action would follow the expert committee's findings. "Those still in service might be suspended, while those who have retired will be traced," the minister added, indicating accountability measures would extend to all involved medical personnel regardless of their current employment status.
Patient's Medical Ordeal and Discovery of Foreign Object
The patient, identified as Usha Joseph from South Punnapra in Alappuzha, was originally admitted to the government hospital on May 10, 2021. She underwent surgery on May 12 and was discharged on May 15, 2021.
The alarming discovery occurred only recently when Joseph began experiencing severe abdominal pain and noticed blood in her urine. An X-ray conducted at a private hospital revealed the shocking presence of surgical forceps still lodged inside her body, nearly five years after her initial procedure.
Comprehensive Medical Response and Treatment Plan
Minister George announced that a specialized medical board would be constituted to determine the appropriate course of treatment for Joseph. "Govt will supervise the procedures that will be performed on her. The patient is now admitted to a private hospital," she confirmed, indicating government oversight of all subsequent medical interventions.
The treatment plan will likely include another surgical procedure to safely remove the retained forceps from the patient's abdomen, with the government ensuring proper medical supervision throughout the process.
Accountability and International Medical Protocols
In her statement, Minister George revealed that the operating doctor reportedly doesn't recall the specific case from 2021. However, she stressed that according to World Health Organization protocols, "the scrub nurse and the doctor are equally responsible for the fault."
The minister elaborated on standard surgical accountability measures, noting that "it is the responsibility of the doctor and nurse to ensure that all equipment is accounted for after surgery," highlighting the critical safety checks that should have prevented such a dangerous oversight.
This incident has raised serious questions about surgical safety protocols and post-operative verification procedures in government medical facilities, with the expert committee expected to provide comprehensive recommendations to prevent similar occurrences in the future.
