Needle found inside 1-yr-old’s body in Kerala, parents allege medical negligence at NICU
The child underwent surgery at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital in July, while Kottayam authorities have ordered an inquiry.
A one-year-old girl from Kerala was found to have a needle lodged inside her body, with her parents accusing medical negligence at the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of Kottayam Medical College Hospital. The incident, which reportedly occurred during post-delivery treatment, was discovered when the child's parents noticed a lump beside her ribs on the right side after she was brought home from the hospital.
The parents, Vineesh and Anju, claim that the lump was initially thought to be a broken rib, but when they pointed it out to the doctors, they were told the issue would resolve itself within a few days.
Despite the doctors' assurances, the child's condition worsened, causing her immense pain at night, leading to her transfer to Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital. It was there that her parents noticed the needle lodged beside her ribs during a routine scan. The child underwent surgery to remove the needle without complications in July 2026.
Following the incident, Anju has lodged complaints with health minister K Muraleedharan, women and child welfare minister Bindhu Krishna, and the superintendent of Kottayam Government Medical College Hospital, seeking action against the alleged doctors responsible for the negligence. The inquiry into the matter has been ordered by the medical superintendent of Kottayam MCH, who has assigned a deputy superintendent to conduct the investigation and ascertain the details of the case.
Hospital authorities have stated that they will investigate the matter seriously and ascertain the facts through a thorough inquiry.
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