Parents of toddler who died after anaesthesia in Kerala seek speedy probe

The parents of a Kannur toddler who died after anaesthesia for a lip injury have urged a faster probe. The child's father said that a district-level medical panel was set up after the incident to examine allegations of medical negligence.

In Short

• Devansh Shouria suffered a lip injury while playing on July 5
• Doctors advised suturing under anaesthesia at a private hospital in Payyannur
• Family says the child became unconscious immediately after anaesthesia was administered

The parents of a one-and-a-half-year-old boy who allegedly died after being given anaesthesia for suturing a lip injury at a private hospital in Kannur have urged the authorities to speed up the investigation into the incident. The child, Devansh Shouria of Eramam, had suffered the injury while playing on July 5.

According to the family's complaint, Devansh was taken to a private hospital in Payyannur, where doctors advised suturing the wound under anaesthesia. The family alleged that he became unconscious after the anaesthesia was administered and was shifted to another hospital in Kannur, where he later died.

Police registered a case against anaesthetist Dr Anjali Poduval on the basis of the complaint. The child's father, Sooraj, told reporters that a district-level medical panel was set up after the incident to examine allegations of medical negligence.

"There were five members on the panel. Of the five, three concluded that there had been negligence on the part of the doctors. One member found no negligence, while another gave a neutral opinion," he claimed.

He said the family was still seeking answers about how the incident happened, adding, "The medical report has now been sent to the state-level panel, which has to take appropriate action."

Sooraj said that last week he met Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala and sought the formation of a Special Investigation Team to probe the case.

"I once again request the home minister to take steps to expedite the investigation. I will continue this fight until I get justice. My repeated request to the government is to ensure that the matter is investigated expeditiously," he said.

He added that he also planned to meet Chief Minister V D Satheesan to raise the family's concerns. The family has also been demanding that the two other doctors who treated the child be made accused in the case.

Police officials at the Payyannur police station said the expert panel's report was crucial for further proceedings as the investigation involved allegations of medical negligence. Following the incident, the hospital denied the allegation of negligence and said the child suffered a cardiac arrest after being given anaesthesia.

It said he was immediately put on ventilator support before being shifted to another hospital. The case is now awaiting further action based on the state-level panel's findings.

- Ends