Kerala’s public health sector is undergoing a major overhaul after two horrifying cases where surgical instruments were forgotten inside women’s bodies. These lapses have shattered trust, forcing authorities to introduce ironclad protocols to prevent future mishaps.
Take the case of 51-year-old Usha Josephkutty. Post-hysterectomy in 2021 at Alappuzha hospital, she battled unexplained pains for years. A routine X-ray in February uncovered the culprit: a surgical scissors embedded deep within. Emergency surgery followed, highlighting shocking procedural failures.
Echoing this tragedy, Harshina’s 2017 C-section at Kozhikode hospital left forceps inside her. Persistent health issues led to discovery in 2022, after immense hardship. She’s now in court, seeking justice for the negligence that upended her life.
Responding to public fury, the state health department has mandated a multi-layered safety net. Every patient gets a detailed wristband. Surgical sites are pre-marked to avoid wrong-side operations.
No mobiles in OT—focus and sterility first. Checklists galore: from wards to theaters, multiple sign-offs ensure records match patients.
Tools get VIP treatment: pre- and post-op inventories on whiteboards, double-checked and documented. No surgery proceeds without full compliance.
This isn’t just paperwork; it’s a cultural shift. By clarifying duties at every step, Kerala aims to make accountability non-negotiable. Hospitals statewide are aligning, with experts hailing it as a model for India. Patient safety now reigns supreme, as the state vows to bury such scandals for good.
