Vandanam Surgery Lapse: Strict Legal Action Will Follow, Says Minister Veena George

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Health Minister Veena George has said that strict legal and departmental action will be taken over the serious lapse reported in a surgery conducted at Vandanam Medical College in 2021, where a surgical scissors was later found inside a patient’s abdomen.

In a Facebook post, the minister said the government acted immediately after the matter came to light. She said she spoke to the patient Usha’s son over the phone and assured the family that the government would take responsibility for the required treatment expenses and necessary follow-up care.

The minister said a preliminary inquiry report was sought without delay, following which an expert committee was appointed for a detailed investigation. The committee has already visited Vandanam Medical College as part of the probe. The surgery was performed on May 12, 2021, and departmental action will be initiated against those found responsible, she stated.

Veena George added that since the incident relates to a procedure conducted several years ago, a detailed investigation is required and police assistance will be sought. She said the government is committed to ensuring a legally sound and transparent process, and stressed that World Health Organization guidelines must be strictly followed during surgical procedures to prevent such lapses.

In her Facebook note, the minister also referred to two similar incidents reported earlier in the state- one at Kozhikode Medical College and another at a private hospital near Haripad in Alappuzha district - where surgical instruments were reportedly left inside patients during operations. In the Kozhikode case, medical committee reports were unable to clearly establish whether the incident occurred in 2014 or 2017, after which the matter was handed over to the police for investigation.

The Cabinet had sanctioned compensation of 2 lakh in that case and granted permission to prosecute those found guilty based on the police probe. Further action will be taken according to the final court verdict, the minister said, reiterating the government’s commitment to patient safety and accountability in the healthcare system.