Since January, seven-year-old Hassan* has been treated at the Manjeri Medical College in Kerala, after his parents first noticed an unusual growth on his nose lining. The boy who was diagnosed with nose polyps and tonsillitis, underwent surgery on May 21, after months of consultations at the hospital's outpatient ward (OP). But what was to be a simple medical procedure turned into a horror story of gross medical negligence that has now shocked the state.
"We realised that our son was wrongly operated upon for hernia instead of nose polyps. His stomach was cut up and bandaged. No surgery was performed on his nose and throat," Hassan's father Masood tells TNM.
When the rattled parents pointed out that Hassan's was an ENT issue, the doctors allegedly argued initially that the child had hernia as well. However, unable to hide their error for long, they immediately took the anaesthetised boy for a second consecutive surgery, the parents claim.
"He was re-administered anaesthesia and operated on within minutes. This is a 7-year-old boy we are talking about. He was barely conscious from the previous procedure when he was administered anaesthesia to the spine," Hassan's father added.
An inquiry into the issue revealed that the patient's scans and medical files were mixed up with that of an 8-year-old boy, with a similar sounding name, who was suffering from a hernia.
"The doctors even argued to convince us that our son had hernia. However, they could not produce a single evidence from the surgery to prove their case. Is this the treatment that we should expect at a government hospital?," Hassan's father asks.
The incident has drawn widespread condemnation from different quarters. The State Human Rights Commission has taken a suo motu case against the doctors at the OP ward. A report has been sought from the Superintendent of the Manjeri Medical College Hospital on the incident.
"We have registered a case under IPC section 338 (Causing grievous hurt by act endangering life or personal safety of others). Investigations are ongoing in the case," an officer from the Manjeri station told TNM.
State Health Minister KK Shylaja has suspended the doctor who performed the surgery on Hassan with immediate effect. An FIR has also been lodged as the Manjeri police station based on the family's complaint.
"There will be no leniency shown on those who err when they engage in treating patients. Those treating patients should do it with the utmost care. A detailed probe has been ordered and the boy will now be treated at state government's expenses," KK Shailaja said in the statement, adding that the boy was recovering well.
Meanwhile, Hassan continues to be admitted to the medical college, recovering from his surgeries.
"His one leg is fully swollen and he has not spoken to anyone since yesterday. What is even more shocking is that not one senior doctor visited us until the issue received media attention," Hassan's father said.
Hassan's family says that they will raise the issue with the District Collector, the Health Minister, the Child Welfare Committee and the Superintendent of Police, to highlight the seriousness of the case.
"Each patient will have a tag on their hands which provides all details of his/her diagnosis, patient's personal records including age etc. The other boy has a different name, a different age and a totally different ailment. How can there possibly be a mix up?," Hassan's uncle adds.
*Name changed