ALAPPUZHA, India — Artery forceps lay forgotten inside Usha Joseph’s abdomen for two years following a 2021 uterine fibroid operation at Alappuzha Medical College. The shocking revelation prompted police to register a case against Dr. Lalithambika, the retired head of the gynecology department, under Sections 125 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, officials said.

Joseph underwent the procedure in 2021, but only recent tests uncovered the 7-inch metal instrument still lodged inside her. Doctors removed it last week during a follow-up surgery. The patient told investigators she endured chronic pain and digestive issues she now links to the forceps.

News of the mishap spread fast. Within hours, outrage boiled over into street protests statewide. Youth Congress activists led the charge, breaking barricades to storm Health Minister Veena George’s residence in the state capital. They chanted slogans and waved placards calling for her immediate resignation, blaming oversight on her watch.

Smaller rallies popped up in Kochi, Thrissur and Thiruvananthapuram. Protesters hurled accusations of systemic failures at government hospitals. One demonstrator in Alappuzha shouted to reporters, “How many more lives must be ruined before someone takes responsibility?” Police deployed extra forces to guard medical college premises amid fears of further unrest.

Dr. Lalithambika, who retired several years ago, has not commented publicly. Investigators plan to question other staff from the 2021 surgery, according to a police spokesperson. The case could expand if evidence points to additional lapses, they added.

Health officials in Kerala face mounting pressure. The state runs over 1,200 public hospitals, many plagued by equipment shortages and staff burnout. This incident revives debates over surgical protocols and post-operative checks. Patient safety advocates point to similar cases in recent years, including a 2022 incident at Kozhikode Medical College where gauze was left behind after an appendectomy.

Minister George addressed the media briefly from her office. She ordered a full probe by the hospital’s internal committee and promised action against the guilty. “No negligence will go unpunished,” she stated. Opposition leaders dismissed the response as too little, too late. Congress party spokespeople renewed calls for a special audit of all state-run surgical wards.

Joseph, 52, recovered well from the forceps removal. She filed the initial complaint at Alappuzha’s District Police Station on October 10. Her lawyer described the ordeal as “preventable malpractice.” The family seeks compensation and stricter licensing for retired doctors who consult at public facilities.

Protests simmered into the evening, with roads near the medical college blocked by tire fires. Authorities arrested 15 Youth Congress members for trespassing at the minister’s home. No major injuries were reported. Union health workers vowed solidarity marches unless demands for accountability are met within 48 hours.

The episode highlights vulnerabilities in India’s public health system, where high patient volumes strain resources. Kerala’s health department reported over 500 surgical errors logged statewide since 2020, though most involved minor procedural slips rather than retained objects like these forceps.