Doctor, nurses booked for alleged medical negligence at Wayanad Hospital

Kozhikode: Just days after a woman accused Mananthavady Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) in Wayanad of medical negligence for allegedly leaving a piece of cotton cloth inside her body for over two months after a cesarean delivery, a doctor and a few duty nurses at the hospital have been booked in connection with the case.

Based on the woman’s complaint, Mananthavady police registered an FIR and booked the doctor and duty nurses under Sections 125 and 125(a) of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS). During the probe, police found that the staff were allegedly negligent in her treatment and post-operative care, which resulted in a surgical cloth being left inside her body.

Medical Dialogues had earlier reported that a serious medical negligence allegation surfaced at the Mananthavady Government Medical College Hospital after a 21-year-old woman claimed that a piece of cotton cloth was found inside her body more than two months after her cesarean delivery.

Also read- Medical Negligence? Cotton cloth found inside woman two months after C-Section

In response to the allegation, the District Medical Officer (DMO), Wayanad, has ordered an investigation into the incident. The inquiry was initiated after the woman approached Kerala Minister O.R. Kelu, alleging serious lapses in the treatment she received at the government hospital.

The incident took place after the woman delivered a baby through cesarean section on October 20, 2025, and was discharged on October 25. Soon after returning home, she developed severe abdominal pain and revisited the hospital. However, she was allegedly advised only to drink water and was sent back without a proper examination. A similar response was reportedly given during her second visit as well.

The woman said her pain and discomfort continued for several weeks. On December 29, she noticed a foul smell emanating from her body and noticed the passage of a cotton cloth, which she alleged had been left behind during her childbirth. She also reported persistent pain and other health issues during this period. Her family members claimed that the gauze used to control bleeding after childbirth may not have been removed, leading to prolonged suffering and infection.

The newly constituted inquiry committee includes three expert doctors. The woman submitted the cloth to the panel during the inquiry, and the investigation is ongoing.

Wayanad District Medical Officer (DMO) Ancy Paul Jacob told Onmanorama, "I will submit the report to both the Director of Health Services and the Directorate of Medical Education. I am not in a position to comment on the merit of the allegations at this stage. We have to wait for the expert panel's report."

Meanwhile, the woman, after submitting her statement to the committee, told the media, "I need justice. My repeated complaints that something was stuck inside my body were ignored."

Also read- Cloth found in woman's abdomen months after surgery: FIR against Greater Noida doctors, CMO