Police Intensify Investigation After Surgical Gauze Found Inside New Mother in Kerala Hospital
Police in Kozhikode have significantly ramped up their investigation into a disturbing medical negligence case. The case centers on a 21-year-old woman who allegedly had a piece of cotton gauze left inside her body after giving birth at the Wayanad Government Medical College Hospital.
Formal Case Registered Against Medical Staff
Mananthavady Police have officially registered a case based on the woman's complaint. They have charged the duty doctor, identified as Mounika, and several nurses. The charges fall under specific sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS).
The sections invoked are 125 and 125(a). These sections pertain to rash or negligent acts that endanger human life or personal safety, especially when such acts result in hurt or injury.
Evidence Seized and Further Steps Announced
Sub-Inspector Pavanan M C of Mananthavady police station provided crucial updates on the investigation. The police have taken formal custody of the cotton gauze as evidence. They plan to send this critical piece of evidence for detailed forensic testing.
Furthermore, the investigating officer stated that the hospital's duty register will be thoroughly examined. This step aims to definitively identify all medical personnel who attended to the woman during her delivery on October 20, 2024.
Patient's Harrowing Account and Delayed Discovery
The young mother presented a distressing timeline of events. She explained that the gauze was originally used to manage postpartum bleeding, a standard procedure. However, she alleges it was never removed after her delivery.
Experiencing severe pain and discomfort, she returned to the hospital approximately 20 days later. Despite her complaints, doctors at that time reportedly failed to detect the foreign object inside her.
The gauze remained inside her body for a total of 75 days. It finally came out on its own, leading to the formal complaint and the subsequent police and health department inquiries.
Parallel Health Department Inquiry Underway
Alongside the criminal investigation, the state health department has initiated its own internal probe. The woman handed over a portion of the gauze to a dedicated team of medical experts from the department.
The Wayanad District Medical Officer (DMO) has already conducted a preliminary inquiry into the serious incident. A specialized team, led by Dr. Veena Sarojini, the assistant director of the health department, has also visited the hospital as part of this ongoing administrative investigation.
Both probes now run concurrently, seeking answers and accountability for the alleged lapse in medical care that caused the new mother prolonged suffering.
