Chipata Woman Sues Wellspring Hospital for K5 Million over Retained Surgical Swab

She said she underwent a Caesarean section at around 11:00 hours under the care of Dr Kabwe and other members of the hospital’s medical team.

Kowa alleges that after the operation, she developed severe abdominal pain and discomfort, together with recurrent illness and other complications which she says were not consistent with a normal recovery.

She claims that although she sought further medical attention from the same hospital, the underlying cause of her condition remained undiagnosed for a considerable period.

Court documents state that subsequent investigations conducted at different health facilities allegedly revealed the presence of a foreign object in her abdomen. Kowa was later subjected to an exploratory laparotomy at Chipata Central Hospital, where a surgical swab was allegedly discovered and removed.

In her claim, Kowa alleges that the swab was negligently left inside her during the Caesarean section and describes the incident as a breach of the medical standard of care.

She argues that Wellspring Speciality Hospital owed her a duty of care but failed to ensure that no surgical material remained in her body after the procedure.The matter is now before the High Court.

© Zambia Reports | September 5, 2026