The incident triggered protests at the Palakkad District Hospital, with the Congress leading a march condemning the alleged negligence.
Published Oct 03, 2025 | 10:32 PM ⚊ Updated Oct 03, 2025 | 10:32 PM
Child. (iStock)
A nine-year-old girl from Pallassana in Palakkad lost her right hand following alleged medical negligence at the Palakkad District Hospital, sparking widespread protests and outrage.
The child sustained a fracture and a deep cut on her right hand after falling while playing at home on 24 September. She was first taken to Chittoor Hospital and then referred to the Palakkad District Hospital, where doctors confirmed two fractures through a scan.
The family alleged that despite the visible wound, the doctors merely bandaged the hand, applied medicine, fixed a plaster, and asked them to return later.
That night, the girl suffered severe pain, but when she was brought back to the district hospital, doctors allegedly dismissed the complaints, saying the pain was due to the fracture, and prescribed only tablets.
They asked the family to return after five days. Unable to bear the worsening pain, the family rushed the child to the hospital again before the advised date. By then, her hand had reportedly turned black, pus had formed, and the wound had developed a foul smell, the family said.
Realizing the severity of the condition, doctors at the district hospital referred her to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. At Kozhikode, doctors informed the parents that the infection had spread deeply into the hand, leaving amputation as the only option to prevent it from reaching vital organs.
The child’s right hand was subsequently amputated.
The family has lodged complaints with the District Medical Officer (DMO) and the Collector, holding the Palakkad District Hospital responsible for medical malpractice.
“If timely intervention had been taken, my daughter’s hand could have been saved,” said the child’s mother, Praseeda, breaking down in tears.
The incident triggered protests at the Palakkad District Hospital, with the Congress leading a march condemning the alleged negligence.
Health Minister Veena George has directed the Health Department Director to conduct an immediate inquiry into the complaint and ensure accountability. The DMO has also confirmed that an investigation has been initiated.
(Edited by Sumavarsha, with inputs from Dileep V Kumar)
