Dongri couple alleges medical negligence after surgical gauze left inside new mother

Mumbai: A couple has alleged a case of medical negligence after doctors at a south Mumbai hospital retrieved a “large surgical gauze” left inside the woman’s body during childbirth at a Dongri hospital recently. Pydhonie police have recorded statements and are awaiting medical reports and the opinion of JJ Hospital’s medical board before taking further action on what the family alleged was a cover-up by the operating gynaecologist.On May 9, Dongri residents Shams Ali Sayed and his wife welcomed a girl, but within days, the new mother developed a fever and body aches. After consulting with the operating gynaecologist, Dr Anam Syed, the family started her on a course of antibiotics. “Her condition did not improve. By May 21, she was prescribed stronger antibiotics,” said Shams. On May 28, the family took her to another Dongri facility, Habib Hospital, where Dr Anam consults, and her assistant ordered some scans. “We were told it was a minor infection,” Shams said.He said soon after, he was asked to sign a consent form for an operation to remove pus that had accumulated. “They had administered anaesthesia even before I signed it.” He lost trust in the doctor and moved his wife to Saifee Hospital, where he said doctors retrieved a surgical gauze. His wife is still under treatment.Dr Anam refused to comment since it is a medico-legal case. Habib Hospital denied all allegations and said due consent was taken prior to the procedures.