Kerala police have registered a case against a doctor at Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital on charges of medical negligence after a guidewire was found inside a patient’s body following a surgery performed in 2023.
The Cantonment police on Friday registered a case against Dr Rajeev Kumar, Surgery Department of Thiruvananthapuram General Hospital, on charges of grave medical negligence after a guide wire was found in the chest of a patient following a surgery. The police slapped him with IPC sections 336 and 338, dealing with negligence leading to endangering human life. Dr Rajeev Kumar is the sole accused in the case.
The patient, Sumayya, a resident of Malayinkeezhu in Thiruvananthapuram, underwent thyroid gland removal surgery at the General Hospital on 22 March 2023. When it became difficult to access a vein after the operation, a central line was inserted to administer blood and medicines. The guidewire used for this procedure was not removed and remains stuck in her chest.
Tests later conducted at Sree Chitra Institute here confirmed that it was the guidewire, which had by then adhered to blood vessels.
Experts have now ruled out the possibility of surgically removing it, leaving Sumayya to live with the consequences of the error.
With her health continuing to deteriorate, she has submitted complaints to the Health Department and to the Leader of the Opposition, demanding justice and proper medical support.
In response to mounting pressure, the District Medical Officer (DMO) has sought a detailed report from the hospital authorities. Sumayya’s brother had filed a complaint with the police, following which, the case has been registered against Dr Rajeev Kumar.
Health Minister Veena George had earlier stated that strict action would be taken against those responsible for the incident.