GROSS NEGLIGENCE: The piece of needle was noticed by the boy’s grandmother 20 days after he was vaccinated at ... Read More

COIMBATORE: In a gross negligence, a broken piece of an injection needle used for vaccination was left in the thigh of a newborn baby by the staff of the Mettupalayam government hospital. The piece, about one centimetre in length, was noticed by the baby’s grandmother 20 days later.

Throughout the period the baby went through an apparent agony, expressed by incessant crying. The state human rights commission (SHRC) on Tuesday issued a notice to the state health department seeking explanation. The parents on their part have complained to the health authorities, district administration, MLA and MP. The baby meanwhile is undergoing treatment for the swelling and is regaining health.

“We have initiated a probe. The staff nurse on duty at that time is on leave now. Once we complete a probe, we will send a report to SHRC,’’ joint director (health) P Krishna said.

The male child was born to P Malarvizhi, 20, wife of Prabhakaran of M S R Puram in Mettupalayam, on August 20 through caesarean section. A hepatitis B vaccine was administered to the newborn the next day. The mother and the baby were discharged shortly. But over the past few days the health of the baby was deteriorating, and it kept crying incessantly. On Monday, Malarvizhi’s mother Thenmozhi saw a swelling on the left thigh of the baby. When she ran her fingers on the swelling, she felt a sharp prick. She examined further and found that it was a piece of the needle stuck at the spot. She squeezed out the needle piece.

The shocked family rushed to the government hospital and complained to the authorities there, demanding action against the nurse who administered the injection.

“The baby is healthy now. We will conduct an inquiry and if the complaint was found to be true, we will take action,’’ Mettupalayam GH chief medical officer Ilanchezhian said.

Malarvizhi is still shocked. “It is a clear case of negligence. The piece of needle we found stuck in my baby’s thigh was certainly from the injection. Action should be taken on the nurse as well as the doctor on duty,” she said.

The SHRC has sought a report from the director of Medical and Rural Health services in two weeks without fail. “In the event of default, the commission may proceed to take action,’’ the notice said.

