Kozhikode: A fresh allegation of medical negligence has emerged, with the family of a 73-year-old woman claiming that a nerve in her leg was severed during surgery at the Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Manjeri. The family has lodged a complaint with the district medical officer (DMO), demanding action against those responsible. However, the MCH superintendent has denied any negligence in the orthopedics department and submitted a report to the DMO, according to sources.
Details of the Surgery
Parvathi, a resident of Nilambur, underwent surgery on May 12 after seeking treatment for leg pain. The procedure was performed on her right hip. Before the surgery, the necessity and potential implications were explained to her relatives, who subsequently signed a consent form. The hospital’s report claims that there were no complications during the surgery itself.
Post-Surgery Developments
An X-ray taken four hours after the surgery showed no issues, according to the report. However, when changes in the color of her leg and coldness were noticed at night, the duty doctor was informed and recommended a scan.
The family alleges that hospital authorities told them no doctors were available to perform the scan and that she needed to be urgently transferred to MCH in Kozhikode. The family further claims that doctors in Kozhikode informed them there was a 95% chance she would lose mobility in her leg.
Hospital's Response
The superintendent’s report states that the patient was moved to a room after three hours of observation in the post-operative ICU. Following findings during a ward examination, she was transferred to MCH, Kozhikode, for vascular surgeon services. The report emphasizes that there was no deliberate error on the part of the hospital staff.
