Thiruvananthapuram: The ethics committee rejected the medical board’s report, which gave a clean chit to the cosmetic clinic in the alleged negligence in the fat removal surgery incident at Thampuran Mukku, near Kulathoor in Kazhakkoottam.
Govt had appointed a medical board to probe into the allegations of lapses during the surgery levelled by the victim and her family.
Nine fingers of Sreevaraham-native Neethu MS, 31, had to be amputated following a complication during a fat removal surgery from her abdomen at the cosmetic clinic.
The medical board is learned to have said in the report that there was no issue with the surgery. However, the ethics committee, comprising district medical officer (DMO), forensic surgeon and public prosecutor, rejected the report citing lack of clarity.
The committee asked the medical board to submit a detailed report again.
Meanwhile, Neethu’s family alleged that the medical board was trying to save the doctor and the private clinic.
Neethu, a software engineer, had undergone the surgery on Feb 22. She developed health complications on the same night and was directed to drink more water.
The next day, she was admitted to the hospital and later referred to a private hospital as her condition turned critical.
Meanwhile, the district chapter of Indian Medical Association (IMA) stated what happened to the patient in the fat removal surgery incident should be considered a rare medical complication.
There is no initial evidence of medical negligence, said Dr Sreejith R, district president of IMA.
“There is no indication of deficiencies in treatment or methods used at the hospital. However, the patient’s condition became critical due to this rare complication. It is understood at this stage that the hospital provided all necessary treatments, according to the existing system,” said Sreejith.
Neethu was transferred to a better-equipped hospital due to her severe condition.
Despite this, campaigns against the clinic could lead to cessation of surgeries and other treatments at small hospitals offering affordable care, IMA said.
“The high court has ruled that no punitive actions should be taken even if institutions haven’t obtained registration under the Clinical Establishment Act, as a case regarding licence registration is ongoing.
It should be understood that such registration is merely technical and not a standard of excellence,” said Dr Swapna S Kumar, district secretary of IMA.
Govt should urgently intervene in this matter and ensure that the expert committee’s investigation is completed swiftly and action is taken, she added. IMA also demanded justice for small healthcare institutions.
Earlier, DMO submitted a report to Kazhakkoottam ACP over the incident after Thumba police registered a case on the woman’s complaint.
