Probe ordered into alleged medical negligence in Wayanad hospital after woman finds cotton cloth left inside post-cesarean

The District Medical Officer, Wayanad, Kerala, has ordered an investigation into alleged medical negligence at Mananthavady Government Medical College Hospital (MCH) following a complaint that a piece of cotton cloth was discovered inside the body of a young woman more than two months after her cesarean.

The decision to carry out the investigation was taken after the 21-year-old woman submitted a complaint to Minister O.R. Kelu alleging lapses in her treatment. 

According to the complainant, the woman gave birth on October 20, 2025 and was discharged from the hospital on October 25. She subsequently experienced severe abdominal pain and returned to the MCH facility, where she was reportedly advised to “drink water” and sent home without a thorough examination. A similar response followed on a second visit too.

The woman continued to suffer discomfort in the ensuing weeks. On December 29, she sensed “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 having persistent pain and other distressing symptoms leading up to the discovery.

Her family members claimed that failure to remove the gauze used to control bleeding after delivery might have contributed to the prolonged suffering.

The incident has prompted the district health authorities to initiate a probe into the sequence of events and treatment protocols followed at the hospital. 

The local police also received a complaint in connection with the matter. Officials indicated that findings from the medical inquiry would inform any other action, including potential legal proceedings.