The Phuket Provincial Health Office yesterday apologized to a new mother who only just found out — after two months — that her doctor forgot gauze inside her during her child delivery in June.
The health office’s chief, Dr. Jirapan Taepan, told reporters yesterday that they acknowledged the medical mistake occurred at Thalang, a local government hospital, and that the woman will be compensated for it, Matichon reported.
It all started when the new mother, identified as 17-year-old Tan, took to Facebook on Tuesday to warn other women about her case, suggesting they choose a good hospital for their childbirth.
“[The doctor] forgot gauze inside my uterus for over two months. How lucky that my wound isn’t infected,” she captioned the grim photo of the forgotten gauze.
Tan said that she had had a natural childbirth on June 18 and was discharged from the hospital after three days. Although her stitched wound hurt, the woman said it was her first pregnancy and thought the pain was normal, Thairath reported.
She later consulted a doctor, who only prescribed pills for the pain.
On Tuesday, to her terror, the clumped gauze emerged from her uterus as she was dining. She went back to the hospital that same day for an examination. The doctors gave her antibiotics and ensured her nothing else was left inside.
Jirapan said that the woman has not filed a police complaint and only wants to raise awareness about the medical mistakes at her local hospital.
Tan is scheduled for another examination on Sept. 4 as a follow-up to her recovery. Here’s hoping for no surprises.
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