Kerala govt grants ₹2 lakh aid to Palakkad girl who lost hand after medical negligence

Palakkad: The Kerala government has sanctioned a compensation of ₹2 lakh to the nine-year-old girl who lost her hand following a case of alleged medical negligence at the District Government Hospital, Palakkad.

 Nenmara MLA K Babu announced that the amount was sanctioned from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). He said that the fund would be handed over to the family soon. 

The victim, Vinodhini, is currently undergoing treatment at Kozhikode Government Medical College Hospital.

Responding to the announcement, Vinodhini’s mother said the amount was insufficient to meet the medical expenses. Speaking to Manorama News, she urged the government to cover the complete cost of her daughter’s artificial hand implantation.

“We are a poor family surviving on daily wages. The government should take full responsibility for my child’s treatment. My daughter’s health is improving, but she has not yet come to terms with losing her hand,” she added.

At the same time, she demanded that the government dismiss the doctors who are responsible for her child's condition. 

On November 7, the Palakkad Town South Police registered a case against doctors at the district hospital over alleged medical negligence. The case was filed under Section 125(b) (causing grievous hurt by rash or negligent act) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).

According to the FIR, Vinodhini, a native of Pallassana, fell in front of her house while playing on September 24, 2025, around 5.30 pm, and fractured her right arm. She was taken to the Palakkad District Hospital, but due to lapses in medical treatment, her hand had to be amputated at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on September 30.

Her family said that although Vinodhini had only a small coin-sized wound along with the fracture, the doctors at the Palakkad hospital ignored it. In the following days, her condition worsened—the swelling increased, the colour of her hand changed, and a foul smell began to emanate from under the plaster. Her parents then rushed her to Kozhikode Medical College, where doctors informed them that the damage was irreversible and that amputation of her right forearm was necessary to save her life. Vinodhini later underwent another surgery to prevent infection.