Darjeeling, Aug. 12: A doctor of a government hospital here has been accused of leaving cotton wool inside a woman after a surgery, prompting the Darjeeling chief medical officer of health to form a committee today to probe the charge.

The curettage surgery on 20-year-old Prerna Gurung was conducted by Dr N.K. Gorai on August 8 after she suffered a miscarriage.

Navin Gurung said his sister was released the very next and they left for Lebong, 10km away, where she stays. “But she complained of pain on the 10th and was taken to the Lebong Army Hospital where some cotton wool were removed yesterday.” Authorities at the army hospital could not be contacted.

Prerna was expecting her first baby and her husband Sandu Gurung is an ex-serviceman who had been awarded with a Vir Chakra during the Kargil War.

The Naari Ekta Shakti, an NGO in Darjeeling, learnt about the incident following which they made a re presentation to CMOH S. Bhowmick.

“Some cotton wool had been left behind by Dr Gorai following the cleanup. We strongly condemn the carelessness on the part of the doctor and we demand his arrest,” said Sona Sherpa, the general secretary of the NGO. The organisation is expected to file an FIR at the Darjeeling police station tomorrow.

The hospital authorities have taken note of the representation and have decided to form a committee. “It will comprise three doctors,” said Bhowmick.

A gynaecologist said the incident could not be termed “life threatening”.

“When there is excessive bleeding, doctors do leave behind cotton to stop the bleeding. Such cottons do give discomfiture and are removed again anytime between 24 and 72 hours.”

The doctor also said even if cotton was left behind accidentally, in curettage, the chances are that it was left behind in the birth canal rather than the uterus. The vaginal paste removes the cotton over a period of time.

“If instruments had been left behind, it would have been an act of negligence and definitely life threatening. However, if a small amount of cotton is found, it could either be intentional and if it was not intentional, then, too, it is not life threatening,” the doctor said.

When contacted, Dr Gorai said he was trying to recollect the patient. “I have heard about it, but will not be able to say much unless I go through the (medical) papers.”