Probe launched over woman's death after gauze left in abdomen at Faridpur hospital; minister vows action
After remaining under treatment for 42 days, the woman died.
Faridpur health authorities have formed a five-member committee to investigate the death of a woman 51 days after undergoing a caesarean section at Faridpur's Shamorita General Hospital, allegedly after surgical gauze was left inside her abdomen and the incision was stitched up.
The committee was formed on Thursday night (20 August) and has been asked to submit its report within five working days, Civil Surgeon Dr Mahamudul Hasan said.
Action will be taken after receiving the report, he added.
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According to the civil surgeon's office, Faridpur Sadar Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Md Moktar Hossain Khan has been made chair of the committee. Sultana Begum, assistant professor of gynaecology and obstetrics at Faridpur General Hospital, is the member secretary.
The victim, Konika Mondal, 32, was the wife of Ashanta Mondal, a resident of Baghutia village under Baharpur union in Baliakandi upazila, Rajbari. She is survived by two sons and a six-week-old daughter.
Health Minister Sardar Md Sakhawat Husain visited the deceased's family in Rajbari yesterday morning (21 August) to offer condolences and assure them of justice.
"Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for negligence or medical malpractice in the investigation," the minister stated while handing over Tk50,000 in financial assistance to the victim's family.
"If the investigation finds anyone responsible or establishes negligence in the treatment, strict action will be taken against those responsible," the minister said.
What happened
Konika was admitted to Shamorita General Hospital on 29 July with labour pain.
That evening, hospital consultant and gynaecology and obstetrics surgeon Laxmi Rani Dutta performed a caesarean section and delivered her daughter, according to her family.
The following day, Konika's abdomen became swollen.
Although the hospital authorities and doctor were informed, the family said they were advised to take her to another hospital.
She was subsequently admitted to Ibn Sina Hospital in Kallyanpur, Dhaka.
According to the family, examinations conducted there under surgery specialist Abdul Jalil found gauze had allegedly been left inside her abdomen during the previous operation.
A second surgery was then performed.
After remaining under treatment for 42 days, Konika died at around 2:15am on Wednesday (19 August).
