Kottayam: A medical team constituted by Kottayam Medical College Hospital has found no lapse in the treatment of a one-and-a-quarter-year-old child after a needle was allegedly found lodged near her right ribs. The finding comes even as police and other authorities continue to investigate a complaint alleging medical negligence.
The hospital’s inquiry committee submitted its report to the superintendent last week, stating that it was unlikely that the needle had entered the child’s body during treatment at Kottayam Medical College Hospital.
Needle Found Near Child’s Ribs in July 2026
The child’s mother lodged a complaint after a needle measuring approximately one inch was detected near her daughter’s right ribs during an examination at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital in July 2026.
The needle was subsequently removed through surgery at the Kozhikode facility.
According to the complaint, the child was born at Kottayam Medical College Hospital on June 24, 2025 and was admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit on the second day after birth after developing fever and symptoms of jaundice.
The family alleged that the needle had been left inside the child’s body during treatment at the Kottayam hospital.
Hospital Committee Finds No Lapse in Treatment
The Kottayam Medical College inquiry committee found no lapse in the treatment provided to the child.
The committee noted that an ultrasound scan had been conducted during the child’s treatment at the hospital, but no needle was detected at that time.
The panel also recorded statements from doctors and staff members of the Neonatology Department while examining the circumstances surrounding the family’s allegation.
According to the inquiry report, the parents had not produced the discharge card from Kozhikode Medical College Hospital before the committee.
Police Case Registered Under BNS
Based on the mother’s complaint, police registered a case under Section 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The hospital’s findings do not conclude the police investigation, which remains ongoing. The circumstances in which the needle came to be lodged near the child’s ribs will be examined as part of the investigation.
Child Rights Body and WCD Department Conduct Separate Inquiries
The hospital inquiry was conducted by a committee comprising Deputy Superintendent Dr Frederick Paul, Head of the Gynaecology Department Dr R Beena Kumari and Head of the General Surgery Department Dr Binny John.
Apart from the police investigation, separate inquiries are also being conducted by the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Women and Child Development Department.
The matter therefore remains under investigation by multiple authorities, while the hospital’s internal inquiry has found no treatment lapse at Kottayam Medical College Hospital.
Important Highlights
- Kottayam Medical College Hospital’s inquiry committee found no lapse in the child’s treatment.
- A needle measuring about one inch was reportedly found near the child’s right ribs in July 2026.
- The needle was removed through surgery at Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.
- The hospital committee noted that an ultrasound conducted during treatment at Kottayam had not detected any needle.
- Police registered a case under Section 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita based on the mother’s complaint.
- Police, the State Commission for Protection of Child Rights and the Women and Child Development Department are conducting separate inquiries.
