Kozhikode: Harshina, who spent years fighting for justice after a surgical instrument was allegedly left inside her body during treatment at state-run Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital, joined duty at the institution on Tuesday.

She has been appointed as an office assistant at the Institute of Maternal and Child Health under Kozhikode Medical College. The appointment is permanent and has been made through the Hospital Development Committee.

Speaking to reporters after taking charge, Harshina said the appointment was an answer to people who had ignored and ridiculed her. She added that she had now received complete justice.

Nearly nine years of struggle

Harshina had been protesting for years over an incident linked to treatment she received at the Government Medical College Hospital in 2017.

She is an alleged victim of a “botched” surgery at the hospital. According to the allegations, a surgical instrument was left inside her body during a C-section surgery in 2017. She said it remained there for years and was removed only in 2022 through another surgery after she suffered severe pain.

According to Harshina, the ordeal lasted nearly nine years. She said she had spent around four years protesting in an effort to get justice.

She also said the incident had caused major setbacks in her life. Apart from health-related problems, Harshina said her degree studies were affected and did not progress as she had expected.

‘This has brought relief’

Harshina said the job was offered to her without her asking for it. She added that she had also been assured of continued treatment.

She said the developments had brought her relief.

Harshina also said V.D. Satheesan had shown what a true Chief Minister should be. According to her, whenever she asked about the case, she had been told that everything had been resolved, which she said came as a surprise. She also said the Health Minister had stood by her.