A one-year-old girl from Sathamangalam near Kottayam in Kerala underwent surgery after doctors discovered a needle lodged near her rib area, triggering allegations of medical negligence by her parents.
The child, born in July last year at the Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital, was treated for jaundice and spent a few months in the intensive care unit, according to the family. After returning home, the baby reportedly cried continuously, and her parents noticed swelling near the right rib region.
When they approached doctors at the same hospital, they were told it was a normal swelling that would subside and that babies often cry due to minor discomfort. However, the swelling reportedly increased over time and the child continued to cry in pain.
In July this year, the parents took the child to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital. A scan reportedly revealed a needle near the ribs, which was removed through surgery.
The parents said the child had not undergone any other surgery in the past year since birth and alleged the incident occurred due to negligence at the Kottayam hospital. Following the complaint, the hospital administration has initiated an inquiry.
