The nurse believed that stitches would leave a permanent scar on the child's face. When the boy's parents confronted her, she claimed she had practised this method for years.
Published Feb 05, 2025 | 8:00 AM ⚊ Updated Feb 05, 2025 | 8:00 AM
Synopsis: In a shocking incident at a Karnataka government hospital, a nurse used an industrial adhesive instead of proper medical sutures to treat a seven-year-old boy’s facial wound, claiming it would prevent scarring. Despite calls for strict action, health authorities merely transferred the nurse to another facility, highlighting ongoing concerns about medical standards in rural healthcare.
A nurse at a government hospital in Karnataka’s Hubli used Feviquick, a commercial adhesive, instead of sutures—the standard procedure—to treat a seven-year-old boy’s wound, sparking outrage and raising concerns about rural healthcare practices.
Her rationale? She believed that stitches would leave a permanent scar on the child’s face.
The incident occurred at the Adoor Primary Health Centre in Hanagal taluk, when Gurukishan Annappa Hosamani, who was bleeding profusely from a deep wound on his cheek, was brought in by his parents.
When the boy’s parents confronted her, she claimed she had practised this method for years. “I thought applying Feviquick would be a better solution, and if it didn’t work, we would have referred him for further treatment,” she could be heard saying in a video recording of the confrontation.
The parents, alarmed and unconvinced, recorded the nurse’s response and filed a formal complaint with the Health Protection Committee.
The video evidence sparked outrage, prompting District Health Officer (DHO) Rajesh Suragihalli to intervene. However, rather than suspending Jyoti for what many viewed as medical negligence, the authorities transferred her to another health facility – the Gutthal Health Institute in Haveri taluk – on 3 February.
Speaking to South First, Dr MS Mahesh, Plastic Surgeon at Aster CMI Hospital in Bengaluru, said, “Feviquick should not be used on any wounds. Though it may not cause much harm if used on the skin’s surface, using the adhesive inside deeper cuts may cause infections and other complications. A medicated superglue could have been used if the cut was superficial”.
Explaining superglue, he said it comprises cyanoacrylate esters, which polymerise rapidly with moisture, forming strong bonds between surfaces. These instant adhesives require no mixing and cure quickly without heat or specialised equipment. Whilst effective as a quick and waterproof emergency measure, Dr Mahesh says his clinical practice normally uses medical adhesive. “We use a superglue called Dermabond for medical use. This formulation offers a safer alternative for wound closure. However, these adhesives work only for superficial cuts where we can pinch the skin, not for deeper ones. We prefer sutures”.
Residents and activists in Haveri district are demanding stricter enforcement of medical protocols in primary health centres. “If a nurse can take such a decision so lightly, imagine the risks in other remote health centres”, said a local activist who advocates for better rural healthcare policies.
This incident is not isolated. In a strikingly similar case last year, another seven-year-old boy from Karnataka’s Raichur district suffered a deep cut above his left eye whilst attending a wedding in Telangana’s Gadwal district. Staff at a private hospital reportedly used Feviquick instead of sutures when his family rushed him there. Concerned about potential risks, the family filed a police complaint against the hospital.
The decision to transfer nurse Jyoti rather than suspend her or provide additional training has fuelled public anger. Meanwhile, Gurukishan’s parents remain worried about potential complications from the adhesive treatment.
Their experience serves as a stark reminder that in India’s rural healthcare system, trust in medical professionals can sometimes be met with unexpected and deeply concerning decisions.
(Edited by Dese Gowda)
