State directed to cover medical care and education costs until child turns 21; court stresses strict implementation of fracture management SOPs
Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala High Court has directed the Government of Kerala to provide long-term medical care and free education to a nine-year-old girl whose right hand had to be amputated following alleged medical negligence at a government hospital in the state.
The court ordered the government to bear the child’s medical expenses and educational costs until she reaches the age of 21. The bench observed that the girl, who belongs to a financially disadvantaged family, became a victim of serious medical negligence during treatment at District Hospital Palakkad.
Bench Orders Support for Child
The order was passed by a bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V. M..
The court also instructed the state government to strictly enforce standard operating procedures (SOPs) for fracture management, particularly in cases involving children, to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Child Initially Treated for Fracture
According to the petition, the girl was taken to the Palakkad district hospital in September 2025 after suffering two fractures in her hand. However, instead of conducting a detailed evaluation or performing surgery, doctors reportedly applied a plaster cast and discharged her.
The petition further alleged that the injury later developed complications, including infection and bleeding from the fractured hand, and that the child did not receive appropriate medication to control the bleeding.
Condition Worsened, Hand Amputated
As her condition deteriorated, the child was taken to Government Medical College Hospital Kozhikode for further treatment.
By the time she reached the medical college hospital, the infection had reportedly spread extensively, forcing doctors to amputate her right hand in order to save her life.
Court Highlights Need for Strict Medical Protocols
The case was brought before the High Court through a petition filed by P. D. Joseph, who argued that the amputation could have been prevented if proper monitoring and treatment had been provided at the district hospital after the initial fracture.
After hearing the matter, the court disposed of the petition while directing the state government to ensure continuous medical and educational support for the child.
The bench also emphasised the importance of strict adherence to fracture treatment protocols in government hospitals, particularly in paediatric cases, to avoid similar instances of alleged medical negligence in the future.
