Surgical Tool Found in Woman's Abdomen 5 Years After Kerala Surgery

• A surgical instrument, an artery forceps, was discovered in Usha Joseph's abdomen nearly five years after her 2021 surgery at Alappuzha Medical College.
• Joseph suffered persistent abdominal pain post-surgery; an X-ray for suspected kidney stones revealed the foreign object.
• Her family moved her to a private hospital in Kochi for removal and plans to file a police complaint, alleging the medical college offered no compensation.
• Retired surgeon Dr. Lalithambika denied performing the surgery, blaming systemic failures in government hospitals for lack of instrument counting.
• Health Minister Veena George ordered an investigation, formed an expert committee, and vowed strict action, suspending officials involved.