Surgical lapse: Medical board to be formed

Kottayam: A medical board will be formed to examine the surgical lapse at Vandanam Medical College Hospital in Alappuzha where a forceps was left behind in the abdomen of Punnapra native Usha Joseph during a procedure five years ago. It was removed through an operation at a private hospital in Kochi.The board will be formed based on a letter from Ambalappuzha DSP K N Rajesh, who is investigating the case related to alleged medical negligence. The board formed under the supervision of DMO Jamuna Varghese will include expert doctors from Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram medical colleges. The artery forceps presented by the police in the Ambalappuzha magistrate court will be sent for forensic examination.The medical team will thoroughly review all the details and medical records during the time when Joseph sought treatment at Alappuzha medical college hospital on May 10, 2021, underwent surgery and during the discovery of the forceps. Additionally, information will be sought from assistant professor Dr Shahida, who led the surgery, other doctors, nurses and staff involved. More individuals may be charged based on the report provided by the medical board.Ambalappuzha police registered a case against Dr Lalithambika, the former head of the gynaecology department, based on a complaint filed by Joseph's relatives. As part of the investigation, police retrieved the forceps from a private hospital in Kochi.