Kerala government doctor operates on child’s tongue instead of finger, suspended | India News

Upon closer inspection, they discovered that the surgery was performed on her tongue and not her hand as intended. When the issue caused uproar in Kerala, the state government took action and suspended Associate Professor Dr. Bejohn Johnson pending an investigation.

Health Minister Veena George announced the decision to suspend the doctor after receiving a report from the Director of Medical Education.

An official statement said the minister had also ordered to conduct a detailed investigation and take further action.

George had given strict instructions to hospitals to ensure protocols were followed correctly, it said. Meanwhile, based on a complaint filed by the girl’s family, the police have registered a case against Dr. Johnson initiated.

According to an official at Kozhikode Medical College police station, the doctor has been booked under IPC sections 336 (endangering life or personal safety of others) and 337. The child’s family said that the child did not have any problems with his tongue.

“No one should have such an experience at Medical College Hospital again,” they said. The family also said that the hospital management should take responsibility if the procedure had negative consequences for the child. “The hospital management told us that it was a mistake as they had scheduled the surgery for two children on the same day,” said a family member.