11-year-old given wrong medication at Thycaud Hospital: Health Department admits lapse

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Director of Health has submitted a report to the Human Rights Commission alleging medical malpractice and wrong medication at Thycaud Women and Children's Hospital. The lapse occurred in the treatment of Rijo (11), who had sought treatment for fever on July 30 last year.

The paediatrician suggested giving IV fluid and Pantoprazole injection. In the meantime, the child had to go to the toilet. At the same time, another child was brought to the hospital with difficulty breathing. After loading adrenaline into a syringe for nebulization for that child, the remaining medicine was handed over to the junior public health nursing student for labelling. At this time, Rijo came back from the toilet. He was given the remaining adrenaline injection from the nebuliser for the second child. Rijo's health condition deteriorated and he was shifted to S.A.T. Hospital. The Health Department Director submitted the report in a case taken up by the Commission on its own initiative.

The paediatrician of the S.A.T. Hospital, who is the representative of the Director of Medical Education, personally attended the commission sitting and informed that the child has no health problems and is completely healthy. The case was settled based on this. The report states that the staff nurse has been suspended, the N.H.M. staff nurse has been dismissed and an explanation has been obtained from the nursing superintendent.