Two gynaecology Assistant Professors and two postgraduate students have been suspended for one month on charges of medical negligence after a cannula was allegedly left inside the abdomen of a pregnant woman during a surgery at the Kakinada Government General Hospital (GGH).

The incident occurred during a delivery-related surgery on September 26, when the 31-year-old woman delivered a baby girl. She was discharged on September 30.

On October 10, the woman was readmitted to the hospital with a complaint of stomach pain. Medical examinations revealed a cannula inside her abdomen.

Rangaraya Medical College Principal Dr. Usha Kiran told The Hindu on Tuesday that Assistant Professors Dr. Vamsi Priya and Dr. S. Sravanthi and two postgraduate students had been suspended for one month based on the inquiry report submitted by the GGH authorities.

Kakinada GGH Superintendent Dr. Lavanya Kumari said the cannula was removed safely during a subsequent surgery. The woman’s condition was stable, and she was recovering. She was also able to breastfeed her baby and remained under medical observation, she said.

Dr. Lavanya Kumari took charge as the hospital superintendent a few days after the incident.