Medical Negligence: FMC Umuahia Under Fire for Leaving Towel Inside Patient's Stomach
A shocking case of alleged medical negligence at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Umuahia, has sparked public outrage after it was revealed that a surgical team left a towel inside a patient’s stomach during a cesarean section (CS). The incident, first reported by @PIDOMNIGERIA, highlights serious lapses in medical care and communication, leaving the patient, Chibuzor Mary Ndubuisi, with life-altering consequences.
Details of the Incident
In 2022, Chibuzor Mary Ndubuisi, a young woman from Umuahia North Local Government Area of Abia State, underwent a cesarean section at FMC Umuahia to deliver her first child. Unknown to her, the surgical team had left a towel inside her abdomen during the procedure.
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Months later, Mary began experiencing unbearable pain and discomfort. Scans at another medical facility revealed a foreign object in her abdomen, prompting an emergency operation. Surgeons discovered the towel, which had caused severe complications, including the growth of a tumor.
The Fallout
The negligence led to catastrophic consequences for Mary. In October 2024, she suffered the devastating loss of her seven-month pregnancy, and her intestines were so severely damaged that they had to be removed. Mary’s life has been irreparably changed, with permanent health challenges stemming from the incident.
Mary reported her ordeal to FMC Umuahia’s management, but instead of empathy, she was met with hostility. According to Mary, one doctor dismissed her concerns, reportedly telling her to “do her worst.” The hospital has yet to acknowledge its responsibility publicly, leaving Mary to fight for justice on her own.
A Conflicting Perspective
In reaction to the incident, a user claiming familial ties to FMC Umuahia’s medical team offered a differing account:
“My big sis is currently a doctor at FMC Umuahia. She explained to me that this woman was a sickler. When the CS was done to save her baby, a cloth was intentionally left inside to control excessive bleeding. She was supposed to return two weeks later for another surgery to remove the cloth and assess her condition, but she didn’t come back until a year later when she was pregnant again.
During her second pregnancy, she never attended antenatal care. After the cloth was removed by a private hospital, FMC Umuahia found her PCV (Packed Cell Volume) was as low as 6%. They urgently transfused blood, but her failure to follow up and lack of antenatal visits contributed to the loss of her baby.”
This version suggests potential gaps in communication and follow-up care, raising questions about responsibility on both sides.
Calls for Accountability
Mary’s story has ignited calls for justice and accountability. The public has criticized FMC Umuahia for failing to ensure proper care and for its dismissive response to her grievances. Medical professionals and rights groups are demanding an independent investigation into the case, emphasizing the need for improved healthcare standards and patient safety protocols.
As the case garners national attention, advocates stress the importance of both institutional accountability and patient awareness. Whether due to negligence, miscommunication, or systemic failures, Mary’s ordeal highlights the critical need for reforms in Nigeria’s healthcare system
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