‘Not a careless surgeon,’ says Alappuzha doctor, but admits serious lapse in Usha Joseph case

Alappuzha: Dr Shahida, who reportedly performed surgery on Usha Joseph, a 51-year-old woman later found with surgical scissors inside her abdomen five years after the procedure, has admitted that what occurred in the case was a serious error. However, speaking to Mathrubhumi News, the doctor said she does not remember having performed such a surgery or recalling Usha Joseph.

She stated that the period was during the Covid pandemic, when there were major constraints. If an error had occurred, it was not intentional, she said, adding that she would provide an explanation if sought.

Dr Shahida maintained that she is not a “careless surgeon” and claimed that no such lapse had occurred in her professional career until now. She said she has the practice of confirming twice with the scrub nurse that all instruments and materials are accounted for before suturing the wound after surgery. She added that during the Covid period, there were circumstances where two operation theatres had to function simultaneously, and despite checks being carried out, how this happened remains a question mark.

The doctor also categorically denied the allegation raised by the patient’s relatives that money had been taken. Dr Shahida said she has always taken a stand in support of poor patients and does not take money from them. On the contrary, she claimed that she has, at times, given money to destitute patients for travel expenses and other needs, and said such allegations are deeply hurtful.
The surgical scissors was found inside the abdomen of the 51-year-old woman nearly five years after she underwent a hysterectomy (uterus removal surgery) at Alappuzha Medical College Hospital.