Harshina, victim of ‘medical negligence’ at Kerala’s Kozhikode MCH, gets job at same hospital

KK Harshina, victim of the alleged medical malpractice case at Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, showing her appointment letter as an assistant at the Institute of Maternal and Child Health on Tuesday (May 26, 2026). She is accompanied by members of her family. | Photo credit: K. Ragesh

KK Harshina, the alleged victim of the medical negligence case at Government Medical College Hospital, Kozhikode, joined duty at the Institute of Maternal and Child Health in the pediatric and gynecological wing of the hospital on Tuesday (May 26, 2026).

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The government appointed her as an office assistant under the Hospital Development Corporation. This comes a day after Ms Harshina met Chief Minister VD Satheesan and Health Minister K Muraleedharan in Thiruvananthapuram on Monday.

“I finally got justice. It’s a victory in my fight for the last four years. I’m very happy… This is a response to those who ignored and sidelined me when they claimed to be with me. Thank you to all the organizations and people who stood by me,” she later told the media. Ms. Harshina, a native of Adivaram in Kozhikode, also thanked the Chief Minister and the Health Minister. She said Mr Satheesan had promised to cover the cost of her ongoing medical care.

A surgical instrument was left in Ms. Harshina’s stomach after a surgical incision made at the Medical College Hospital in 2017. But it went unnoticed. The instrument was later removed in another operation performed at the same hospital in 2022. Ms. Harshina had to go through excruciating pain and suffering during this period.

Although the previous Left Democratic Front government promised to address her concerns and provide fair compensation, she and her family claimed they failed to do so. Ms. Harshina underwent two surgeries as part of her ongoing treatment. Her fight for justice and fair compensation was taken up by the Harshina Samara Sahaya Samithi led by Congress leader Dinesh Perumanna.

Ms Harshina said she never expected to get the job but the appointment letter was sent by post on Monday (May 25, 2026).

The proceedings in a criminal case filed against two doctors and two nurses who were on duty during the operation in a court in Kunnamangalam have been stayed by the High Court. Another civil case is expected to be heard in the Kozhikode court in July 2026 to seek financial compensation.

Published – 26 May 2026 15:49 IST