Devastated parents recount the moment a nurse assistant accidentally cut their 1-year-old son's right index finger while removing IV tape. Initially, the hospital contacted them and brought a gift basket, but the family remains unable to accept the situation and has not agreed to negotiate.
The story went viral online when Facebook user "Wipaporn Namkhan" posted photos and described how her 1-year-old son was hospitalized for 10 nights with a cold. When he recovered, the doctor allowed him to go home. While waiting for the IV line removal, a nurse assistant came to cut the tape securing the IV needle but accidentally cut the boy's finger off. The incident sparked widespread criticism after being shared.
On 12 Sep 2023, a reporter contacted Mr. Weeraphong, 34, the boy’s father, who tearfully said his son, named Ufa, was admitted on 1 Sep. By the morning of 11 Sep, Ufa had recovered and the doctor allowed discharge. He packed belongings into the car.
Then Ufa’s mother brought him to his bed to remove the gauze covering the IV needle. After a moment, a nurse assistant arrived with scissors and cotton. He inserted the scissors near the index finger to cut the gauze but did not carefully loosen it or check safety. He cut immediately, severing the boy’s right index finger in one cut. Seeing the blood flowing over the bed almost made the father collapse.
Nurses then attended to stop the bleeding and treated the wound before rushing Ufa to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital in Ubon Ratchathani. Around 01:00 on 12 Sep, Ufa left the operating room after doctors successfully reattached the finger. However, whether full function returns depends on nerve and vessel healing, requiring close monitoring. Ufa cried, had restless sleep likely from pain, and experienced breathing difficulty possibly due to anesthesia. He is beginning to recover but has trouble eating due to pain.
He added that hospital staff visited that morning with a gift basket and 4,000 baht in cash. Despite the gesture, he remains confused and unsure how to proceed but has filed an official report about the incident.
A senior source at the Yasothon Provincial Health Office said they have been informed and arranged staff support for Ufa’s transfer to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital, where the finger reattachment succeeded. However, after surgery, they must wait about a week to see if nerves, muscles, vessels, and systems reconnect. For now, patient care is the priority. Compensation will be considered in due course.
Meanwhile, Ms. Wipaporn, Ufa’s mother, emotionally described how the male nurse assistant used paper scissors—not medical tools—to cut the adhesive tape from Ufa’s right hand. She was holding Ufa’s hand when the assistant cut, causing Ufa to cry out in pain immediately.
When the tape was removed, they found Ufa’s right index finger had been severed along with the tape. At that moment, she felt heartbroken and helpless. Other nurses quickly provided first aid, took X-rays, and rushed Ufa to Sappasitthiprasong Hospital for finger reattachment surgery.
Ufa had to undergo two finger reattachment surgeries in one night. Doctors warned the family to prepare for the possibility that, due to Ufa’s young age and very small blood vessels, full recovery might not be possible. This has deeply saddened the parents.
Regarding responsibility, the male nurse assistant involved has not come forward or apologized. Only a hospital representative visited with a fruit basket and 4,000 baht this morning. No negotiations about compensation or legal steps have occurred because the family is still emotionally unprepared.
Ms. Wipaporn urged the hospital and medical staff to exercise greater caution and care in their work, emphasizing that every child is a precious treasure to their parents and no family should have to endure such a nightmare again.