Alappuzha (Kerala), February 21 A case has been registered against a retired doctor after a surgical instrument was found inside the abdomen of a woman who underwent surgery at Alappuzha Medical College in 2021, police said on Saturday.
Dr. Lalithambika, who was the former head of the gynecology department at the medical college, said that Usha Joseph (51) of Punnapra underwent surgery in May 2021 to remove a uterine fibroid.
Meanwhile, Joseph underwent surgery at a private hospital on Saturday, and the surgical instrument was successfully removed.
In a statement, Amrita Hospital said that, besides its doctors, Government Medical College Medical Superintendent Dr. Ganesh Mohan and Head of the Department of Surgery Dr. Abdul Siyad A K were also present throughout the procedure.
The hospital said the patient's condition is satisfactory following the surgery.
The Alappuzha police registered the case against the doctor on Friday night, who has now retired from service, following a complaint lodged by Joseph's relative.
The case was registered under Section 125 (endangering the life or personal safety of others) and Section 125(a) (causing hurt by a negligent act) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
Although the Department of Health Education had earlier suspended Dr. Shahida, who performed the surgery on Joseph, police said the case was registered against Dr. Lalithambika based on the complaint received, and that more accused may be added following further investigation.