A woman who delivered her second child by caesarean section has alleged that Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) personnel left a cotton swab in her body.

Khoo May Yee of Happy Garden, Kuala Lumpur, and her husband Yau Hon San have turned to DAP Seputeh MP Teresa Kok in pressing their claim against the hospital.

They lodged a police report at the Petaling Jaya station on March 8.

Relating her trauma during a press conference yesterday at Kok's office, Khoo said she was hospitalised last November until she delivered the baby on Jan 11.

Khoo, 30, said she underwent two operations to stop abdominal bleeding after the delivery. However, she continued to experience abdominal pain after her discharge from hospital.

A medical examination on Feb 24 traced the problem to a cotton swab left in her body during surgery. She then underwent an immediate third operation to remove it, and had to bear more pain for another month.

The disgruntled couple then demanded compensation of RM13,756.50 to cover the medical fees, salary for two months for both of them, the babysitter's charges for two months and miscellaneous costs.

Probe carried out

However, the hospital has only agreed to waive the fee for the third operation, they said.

In a reply dated March 9 to their complaint, hospital director Prof Dr Mohd Amin Jalaludin stated that the management viewed the matter seriously and that it is currently carrying out an investigation.

Kok said she would assist the couple in lodging a report with Malaysia Medical Association and to institute legal action against the hospital if this becomes necessary.

Malaysiakini was unable to contact Mohd Amin for comments despite several attempts.