Pathanamthitta (Kerala): A medical negligence case dating back to 2021 has snowballed into a fierce political confrontation in Kerala, with protests targeting Health Minister Veena George and sharp exchanges between the ruling LDF and the Opposition Congress.

The controversy erupted after police registered a case against a retired doctor in connection with a surgical scissors discovered inside the abdomen of a woman who had undergone surgery at Alappuzha Medical College five years ago. The development sparked statewide protests by Youth Congress activists, who staged a demonstration at the Minister’s official residence in Thiruvananthapuram and demanded her resignation.

Also Read

placeholder

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

Police booked Dr Lalithambika, former head of the Gynaecology Department at the Medical College, in connection with the surgery performed on Usha Joseph (51), a native of Punnapra, in May 2021 for the removal of a uterine fibroid.

As the protests intensified, George, who was in Pathanamthitta attending official engagements, lashed out at the Opposition. She alleged that the agitation was politically motivated and claimed that Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan had directed party workers to escalate the situation.

A visibly angry George told reporters here that she had done everything possible in her capacity as a health minister in the surgery lapse incident.

"Neither the Health Minister had carried out the surgery nor had she taught the surgical procedures," she said, pointing out that the lapse occurred years ago. She added that the government acted swiftly once the issue surfaced and ensured a proper probe.

George further alleged that the Congress was resorting to "heinous" tactics ahead of the Assembly elections and described the protest at her residence as an “attack”.

"Kerala should listen to this. The attack against my residence was carried out as per the direction of Opposition leader V D Satheesan," she alleged.

The Minister also accused a section of the media of attempting to mislead the public and run a false campaign against the government. She maintained that strict action would be taken in any instance of medical negligence.

"The Congress is deliberately triggering violence out of their fear of failure in the upcoming Assembly polls. They have got information that there is no anti-incumbency wave in the state," she said.

She further alleged that the Opposition was trying to undermine public healthcare institutions to benefit private players in the sector.

Earlier in the day, Youth Congress activists placed a wreath at George’s residence, a symbolic gesture implying political accountability, and later attempted to disrupt a public function she attended at the Town Hall in Pathanamthitta by raising slogans. The situation turned tense when workers of the ruling Left Democratic Front gathered in her support.

According to police, only three guards were on duty at the Minister’s residence when the protesters arrived, making it difficult to prevent the demonstration. The agitators later staged a dharna outside the house, waving black flags and reiterating their demand for her resignation.

The ruling ally CPM strongly criticised the protest, stating that democratic dissent has its limits. Senior party leader and former Health minister P K Sreemathi alleged that the Youth Congress intended to intimidate the minister and described the wreath protest as a “cultureless act” and an insult to women. She called on the Youth Congress leadership to apologise.

General Education Minister V Sivankutty also termed the act of placing a wreath as “extremely serious” and alleged that it was carried out with the knowledge of the Opposition leader. He said attempts to isolate or threaten the health minister through “anti-democratic” methods would fail.

While affirming that shortcomings in the health sector could be debated, he accused the Youth Congress of creating a “smokescreen” despite what he described as significant achievements in Kerala’s public healthcare system, which he claimed had drawn recognition even from the Centre. 

 

PTI