A case of medical negligence has come to light in Alamdanga, Chuadanga, where a piece of surgical gauze was found inside a woman's abdomen three months after she underwent surgery. The incident has sparked outrage among locals.
Mosammat Sayra Khatun (45), wife of Md. Mosharraf Ali from Sreerampur Khalpara village in Kalidashpur Union, was admitted to Popular Medical Centre in Alamdanga on 25 May with severe abdominal pain. Dr Hossain Imam from Kushtia General Hospital performed emergency surgery, charging the family Tk 15,000. Five days later, she was discharged, but her condition worsened — the pain intensified and a hard, tumour-like swelling developed in her abdomen.
Despite three months of ongoing treatment, there was no improvement. On 13 September, Sayra was admitted to Doctors’ Care and Specialised Hospital in Alamdanga. Under the supervision of Chuadanga Civil Surgeon Dr Hadi Zia Uddin Ahmed, a second operation was performed. During the surgery, a large piece of gauze was recovered from her abdomen.
Sayra Khatun said, "I've been in unbearable pain for three months. I could feel something hard inside me."
Her younger son, Md. Zaidul Islam, stated, "We admitted my mother to Popular Hospital where Dr Hossain Imam operated on her. We had no idea the operation was botched. Her condition kept deteriorating. We now demand legal action against him."
Dr Hadi Zia Uddin Ahmed confirmed the gauze removal and noted, “There was pus and clotted blood inside. Without timely surgery, her life would have been at serious risk. Such negligence is unacceptable, and legal steps will be taken if a formal complaint is lodged.”
