‘Only one or two such cases...’: M V Govindan downplays Alappuzha MCH medical negligence

Kozhikode: CPM state secretary M V Govindan said the incident wherein a pair of artery forceps was allegedly left inside a woman's abdomen during surgery at Alappuzha govt medical college was an isolated case. He said that in a state where lakhs of surgeries are performed, only one or two such incidents have been reported "This is not a recurring phenomenon. There may be just one or two such cases. When lakhs of surgeries are conducted, how can anyone cite one or two incidents to claim that all surgeries are faulty?" he asked. Govindan said that it is natural for lapses to occur and added that actions are being taken whenever such incidents come to light. "Those responsible have been suspended, treating it as a lapse. You cannot say such incidents are recurring. The case in question occurred five years ago, and another similar incident also happened years earlier. Such events should not have happened, and the govt's stand is that even isolated incidents like these must not occur," he said.