A massive controversy has erupted after a needle was discovered near a toddler's ribs a year after her treatment at Kottayam Medical College. While parents allege gross negligence, the hospital's internal probe has cleared its staff.

  • A one-year-old girl, Advika, was found to have a needle lodged near her ribs.
  • Parents claim the needle was left behind during treatment at Kottayam Medical College in 2025.
  • Police have registered a case under Section 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

A medical negligence scandal has surfaced in Kerala following allegations that a needle was left inside the body of a one-and-a-quarter-year-old child. The child, identified as Advika, underwent treatment at the Kottayam Medical College Hospital shortly after her birth in June 2025. The discovery was made much later, during an examination at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in July 2026, where the needle was found near her right ribs and subsequently removed via surgery.

The child's mother, Anju Vineesh, has filed a formal complaint, prompting the police to register a case under Section 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita. Beyond the police investigation, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Women and Child Development Department have also launched independent inquiries into the matter.

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Why This Matters

BozokMedia analysis shows that such incidents strike at the very heart of patient trust in public healthcare institutions. The discrepancy between the parents' claims and the hospital's internal findings highlights a critical need for more transparent surgical and neonatal monitoring protocols.

The gap between hospital internal reports and parental findings often points to systemic failures in post-operative documentation.

According to the family, Advika was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Kottayam Medical College on June 25, 2025, due to fever and jaundice. They allege that the approximately one-inch needle was accidentally introduced or left behind during her intensive care. However, the hospital's internal inquiry committee, led by Dr. Frederick Paul and other senior specialists, has officially ruled out any lapse in medical treatment.

The hospital's defense rests on the fact that ultrasound scans performed during the child's stay did not detect any foreign objects. Furthermore, the committee noted that the parents had not yet produced the discharge documentation from the Kozhikode Medical College, where the needle was eventually discovered. The case now hinges on the upcoming police investigation and the findings of the child rights commission.

Historical Background

Medical negligence involving 'retained foreign objects' is a recognized risk in surgical and intensive care settings worldwide. While rare, these incidents often lead to significant legal battles and changes in hospital safety protocols regarding instrument counts and imaging verification.

Did You Know?: Retained surgical items (RSIs) are considered 'never events' in many healthcare systems, meaning they are preventable errors that should never occur.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When was the needle discovered?
The needle was detected during an examination at Kozhikode Medical College in July 2026.

2. What is the hospital's stance?
The hospital's internal committee states that no negligence occurred and ultrasound scans showed no needle at the time of treatment.