In a heartening turn of events, a family from Palakkad, worn down by months of distress, has found a ray of hope. The parents of a nine-year-old girl, who underwent a traumatic amputation of her right hand following alleged medical negligence, expressed profound gratitude on Friday. Their thanks were directed at opposition leader V D Satheesan, who stepped forward with a crucial promise of support.
A Promise of Support After Prolonged Struggle
The family, hailing from Pallassana in Palakkad, had been grappling with uncertainty for over three months. The parents, R Vinod and Praseetha, who work as daily wage labourers, found themselves unable to arrange for a prosthetic limb for their daughter, Vinodhini. The Congress leader's assurance that he would ensure financial assistance for a prosthetic hand brought them immense relief and happiness.
V D Satheesan revealed that he was deeply moved after seeing the girl's story on television. "She is such a bubbly and lively little girl. I called her father and promised to arrange a prosthetic hand for her. We will bear the full cost of fitting it," Satheesan told reporters, outlining his direct intervention in the case.
The Tragic Sequence of Events Leading to Amputation
The incident traces back to September 24, when Vinodhini, a Class IV student, fractured her right arm after a fall while playing with her brother. She was first taken to the Palakkad District Hospital. Her parents have levelled serious allegations that the doctors there failed to properly treat a small open wound that accompanied the fracture.
Over the next few days, her condition deteriorated significantly. With no improvement, she was rushed to the Kozhikode medical college hospital. It was there that doctors delivered the devastating news: the damage was irreversible, and amputation was necessary. The procedure was carried out in October.
Accountability and the Road Ahead
Following the incident, two doctors at the Palakkad District Hospital were suspended, indicating institutional acknowledgment of a possible failure. However, the girl's family has consistently alleged that they received no further support from the government after the suspension, leaving them to face the emotional and financial burden alone.
Now, with V D Satheesan's commitment to covering the entire expense of a prosthetic hand, the focus shifts to Vinodhini's rehabilitation and future. The case has highlighted critical issues of medical accountability and the support systems for families from economically disadvantaged backgrounds facing such medical tragedies in Kerala.
