Woman Protests Alleged Medical Negligence After Living with Scissors Inside Abdomen, Seeks Justice and Compensation
Woman Initiates Protest Alleging Medical Negligence, Seeks Justice After Living with Scissors Inside Abdomen
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Harshina K K, who claims to have suffered from years of pain due to alleged medical negligence at Kozhikode Medical College, launched a protest in front of the Secretariat on Wednesday. Harshina is demanding justice against the doctors she accuses of leaving a pair of scissors inside her abdomen during a C-section procedure in 2017. Her demands include holding the medical professionals accountable and receiving compensation for her ordeal. The change in protest venue was prompted by her perception that the government was neglecting her pleas.
“I have been protesting at Kozhikode Medical College for several months, but the ministers have avoided addressing my concerns,” Harshina stated. Expressing dissatisfaction with the health department’s response, she expressed her desire to meet Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan for resolution.
“I am skeptical about the integrity of the investigations conducted by the health department. The health minister’s response has been limited to offering sympathies. Now, I fear that even the police findings could be compromised,” added Harshina. State Congress president K Sudhakaran visited her at the protest site to express support.
Living with the scissors inside her abdomen for five years, Harshina endured immense pain. Her husband had to shut down his business due to her deteriorating health.
Congress leader and Wayanad MP, Rahul Gandhi, wrote a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, advocating for her cause.
An initial inquiry by the medical college absolved doctors of wrongdoing. However, a police investigation linked the scissors to the medical college. A medical board subsequently dismissed this report.
Harshina and her husband M K Ashraf were forcibly removed from the medical officer’s office when they protested against the medical board’s rejection of the police findings.
Rahul Gandhi Advocates for Compensation
Rahul Gandhi, a senior Congress leader and Wayanad MP, sent a letter to Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, advocating for adequate compensation for Harshina. During a recent visit to Wayanad, Rahul met Harshina and her family.
Having submitted a petition to Rahul, seeking a fair investigation and compensation, Harshina’s plight was highlighted in the August 16 letter. Rahul emphasized the gravity of her case, stating, “Their suffering due to medical negligence over five years is heart-wrenching. The family has already borne significant emotional and financial burdens due to their ordeal. In light of the exceptional circumstances of this case, I implore the state government to consider their requests and provide appropriate compensation.”