KK Harshina, who is now 31 years old, claims she suffered from excruciating stomach agony for years. A scan later revealed that a set of forceps had been left within her body after surgery.
After five years of agony, Ms. Harshina said, “I cannot adequately describe the misery I endured.” Ms. Harshina, a mother of three, has given birth to all of her children through Caesarean section.
In 2012 and 2016, she got these three times at a government hospital in the town of Thamarassery in the city of Kozhikode. In 2017, her son was delivered through C-section at the Government Medical College Hospital in the district of Kozhikode.
Ms. Harshina claims she had no gastrointestinal issues prior to obtaining the treatment. When she voiced dissatisfaction, the medical staff stated that it was due to her having had a third cesarean section. In addition, I was informed that “many other ladies” were experiencing the same issue.
Ms. Harshina saw several physicians over several years for her ongoing discomfort. The emotional and monetary cost of determining the origin of the pain was substantial. In September 2022, when she underwent testing for a urinary bladder infection, she discovered the source of the problem: a metal particle.
Government launched inquiry
The iron implements, identified as surgical forceps, were 6.1 cm in length and 5 cm in width. This necessitated a second procedure to remove the gadget from her body. Ms. Harshina’s complaint to state health minister Veena George resulted in the formation of an investigative committee. In addition, an internal investigation was performed at the Government Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode.
Both of these inquiries have not yielded any results. The Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital reports that none of Ms. Harshina’s prior surgeries included the theft of surgical equipment. Even the health department’s probe proved futile.
A second government investigation was unsuccessful in determining the origin of the forceps since none of Ms. Harshina’s medical facilities had a record of the equipment. Mrs. Harshina began a hunger strike this week in front of the hospital, asking that the state government punish those guilty. Thursday, leaders of the local Opposition sought to convince her to end her hunger strike out of concern for her health.
Ms. Harshina has ended her hunger strike, but she will not leave her protest position in front of the medical facility.
She declares, “I will go on strike until justice is achieved.”
