Thiruvananthapuram, 21 Feb (H.S.):Tension prevailed in the state capital on Friday after Youth Congress workers staged a dramatic protest at the official residence of Kerala Health Minister Veena George, demanding her resignation over the recent surgical negligence incident at Government Medical College Hospital, Vandanam.
The protest was triggered by allegations that a pair of surgical scissors was left inside a young woman’s abdomen during a surgery at the Vandanam Medical College. The shocking incident has sparked widespread outrage across Kerala and intensified criticism against the Health Department.
A group of Youth Congress activists marched to the Minister’s residence from Thycaud and forcefully pushed open the main gate before entering the premises. They placed a funeral wreath in front of the entrance as a symbolic protest and hoisted black flags inside the compound. At the time of the incident, only two police personnel were reportedly stationed at the residence, raising concerns about a serious security lapse, especially since the Minister’s house is located close to the Police Commissioner’s office.
After staging the symbolic protest inside the compound, the activists stepped out and continued their demonstration outside the main gate, shouting slogans against the Health Minister and the state government.
The Youth Congress accused Minister Veena George of failing to take accountability for repeated medical errors in the state. They alleged that despite numerous instances of negligence in government hospitals, the Minister has limited her response to seeking reports rather than taking strict action against those responsible. The protesters further claimed that even employees within the department have publicly expressed concerns about inadequate infrastructure and basic facilities.
Demanding her immediate resignation, the Youth Congress leaders stated that a minister who “plays with people’s lives” has no moral right to continue in office. They also criticized what they described as the Minister’s “arrogant and indifferent” attitude toward mounting healthcare concerns.
As the protest intensified, additional police forces rushed to the scene. Scuffles reportedly broke out between the protesters and the police during efforts to control the situation. With tensions escalating in the area, police initiated steps to detain and remove the Youth Congress activists from the spot.
The incident has further fueled political debate in Kerala over healthcare governance and administrative accountability.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Arun Lakshman
