After more than three months of uncertainty and repeated appeals, a nine-year-old girl from Palakkad, whose right hand was amputated following alleged medical negligence, finally received a measure of relief on Friday. Leader of the Opposition V D Satheesan promised financial assistance for an artificial hand after the family’s pleas to government departments went unanswered.

Vinodhini, a Class 4 student and a native of Pallassana in Palakkad, fractured her right arm after falling while playing near her house on September 24, 2024. She was initially taken to the Palakkad District Hospital, where her parents allege doctors failed to treat a small open wound that accompanied the fracture adequately. Her condition worsened over the following days, and she was shifted to the Medical College Hospital in Kozhikode, where doctors said the damage was irreversible, making amputation unavoidable.

Since then, her parents, Vinod and Praseedha—both daily wage workers—have been seeking an inquiry into the incident and financial support for their daughter’s care. “V D Satheesan personally called us after seeing media reports about our situation. He assured us that the type of prosthetic hand and the hospital for treatment would be finalised within a day,” Vinod told Onmanorama.

However, Vinod expressed disappointment over what he described as the government’s inaction. “We submitted several petitions, but received no meaningful help. Accepting negligence would also mean admitting systemic failure,” he said, adding that delays defeat the purpose of relief. “Help matters only when it reaches those in need at the right time,” he said.

According to the family, Satheesan’s office also assured logistical support, including coordinating hospital visits and treatment. Vinod said the assurance brought immense relief to Vinodhini and the whole family.

Satheesan’s office also confirmed that consultations are underway with specialist doctors at government medical colleges in Kozhikode and Thiruvananthapuram, as well as experts in Kochi, to finalise the treatment plan. “The hospital and type of prosthetic hand will be decided shortly. The estimated cost is ₹8–10 lakh,” the office said, adding that the funds may be arranged personally by the MLA or by any scheme. The office also noted that the family had repeatedly sought government assistance without adequate response.

Vinodhini lives with her parents and two siblings in a rented shed in Pallassana. The family, which belongs to a Scheduled Caste community, has been surviving on borrowed money since her hospitalisation, as neither parent has been able to work.

According to the family, Vinodhini had a coin-sized wound along with the fracture, which was allegedly ignored during initial treatment. Her condition deteriorated rapidly, with increasing swelling, discolouration, and a foul smell from beneath the plaster. She underwent amputation at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital on September 30, followed by additional procedures to prevent infection. In total, she underwent five surgeries and spent over a month in the ICU.

Following public outrage and media attention, the Health Department suspended two doctors—Junior Resident Dr Mustafa and Junior Consultant Dr Sarfaraz—from the Palakkad District Hospital, pending an inquiry under the Kerala Civil Services (CCA) Rules. However, hospital superintendent P K Jayasree denied negligence, claiming the parents delayed bringing the child for follow-up treatment. The Kerala Government Medical Officers’ Association condemned the suspensions, describing them as an attempt to appease public sentiment.

In November, Palakkad Town South Police registered a case against the district hospital doctors under Section 125(b) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to causing grievous hurt by a rash or negligent act. The state government has so far sanctioned ₹2 lakh as compensation from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund.