Recently, in Thrissur, an incident happened where a 7-year-old boy developed a weakness in his left foot due to the sporadic administration of two injections. The doctor is terminated from his service based on an inquiry report.

The boy named Mohammed Gazali is the son of Nalakath Karakkad Shaffil Alikutty and Hiba Shaffil. He is studying second class at Palayur St. Thomas LP School. He was taken to the Chavakkad Taluk Hospital by his mother because of a headache. The boy vomited while standing in line for the outpatient ticket. Then the doctor prescribed two medications. According to the boy's mother, the male nurse administered one injection to the boy's arm in an erratic way, and another injection was administered to the boy’s buttocks in the same manner.

After the injection, the boy developed weakness in his left foot, and he was unable to walk properly. He was taken to the hospital, and the doctor said that there were no significant complications and the boy was going to recover within a few hours, so they came back home after nearly two hours, the boy’s mother said. However, the boy’s condition did not improve even after a few days. He was taken to Baby Memorial Hospital, and the doctors examined the boy’s condition and said that the nerve conduction study was suggestive of severe left common peroneal motor neuropathy.

The boy’s relatives filed a complaint against the doctor and the male nurse, and an FIR was registered by the police based on the complaint. Dr. TP Sridevi, the district medical officer, formed an inquiry team and ordered an investigation into the claim. Based on the inquiry team report, the DMO decided to terminate the doctor’s service at Chavakkad Taluk Hospital. The report was also submitted to the Director of Health Services.

The doctors at the Baby Memorial Hospital recommended sustained physiotherapy for the boy for one year and prescribed medicines.

(Input from various media sources)

(Rehash/Lavanya Beeraboina)