Kannur: In an alleged case of gross medical negligence, a 17-year-old boy's arm was amputated below the elbow -- days after he sought treatment at Thalassery General Hospital for a broken bone. Kerala health minister Veena George has ordered an enquiry into the incident.
Sultan, son of Abubacker Siddique of Chetamkunnu in Thalassery, broke his arm while playing football on October 30. The Class 11 student was rushed to the government hospital by his family. The X-Ray machine was dysfunctional at the hospital, and the family had to get it done externally at another hospital. The orthopaedic specialist was not present at the hospital and a photo of the boy's X-Ray was shared with him, India Today Malayalam said in a report.
On November 1, Sultan's broken arm had a colour change and emergency surgery was conducted. But his condition deteriorated over the days and got referred to the Kannur Pariayaram Medical College Hospital.
The family then shifted Sultan to another private hospital for better treatment, but his arm was amputated, the news report said. They alleged the boy's condition deteriorated due to negligence by the hospital staff.
However, the hospital authorities denied the allegations and maintained the boy's arm had to be amputated because he developed a condition known as compartment syndrome on the third day of his fracture.