Malawi Freedom Network 
By Staff Reporter
A woman from Blantyre has filed a lawsuit against Mulanje Mission Hospital, seeking compensation after an alleged medical error during childbirth reportedly resulted in the removal of her uterus.
The case, which has sparked public discussion about patient safety and accountability in Malawi’s healthcare system, centres on Ms. Yankho Luka, who claims that negligence by hospital staff caused her irreversible physical and emotional suffering.
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According to court documents, Ms. Luka underwent a Caesarean section at Mulanje Mission Hospital in November 2023. The operation was reportedly performed by Dr. Smart with the assistance of other medical officers.
However, the lawsuit alleges that a nurse responsible for completing the surgical procedure mistakenly left a surgical cotton swab inside Ms. Luka’s uterus before the operation was concluded
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Following her discharge from the hospital on November 4, 2023, Ms. Luka says she began experiencing severe abdominal pain, persistent discomfort and abnormal menstrual bleeding accompanied by a strong foul-smelling discharge.
Believing something was seriously wrong, she returned to the hospital for further medical attention.
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It was during the follow-up examination, according to the claim, that doctors allegedly discovered the retained surgical material. Medical assessments reportedly showed that the infection and complications had severely damaged her uterus, leaving doctors with no option but to perform a hysterectomy to save her life.
The surgery permanently ended her ability to bear children.
Determined to seek accountability, Ms. Luka lodged a complaint with the Medical Council of Malawi. The Council reportedly found that the nurse involved, identified as Linda Ekhama, had committed what it described as “gross medical incompetence.”
Despite this finding, Ms. Luka argues that the hospital should also be held responsible for the actions of its employees and the standards of care provided within its facilities.
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She has now taken the matter to court, seeking compensation for the physical pain, emotional trauma, medical expenses, loss of fertility and the long-term impact the incident has had on her life.
The lawsuit is expected to draw significant public interest as it raises broader questions about patient safety, surgical procedures and professional accountability within Malawi’s healthcare system.
Neither Mulanje Mission Hospital nor the medical professionals named in the case had publicly responded to the allegations at the time of publication. The claims remain before the courts, where both parties will have an opportunity to present their evidence.
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The outcome of the case could have far-reaching implications for medical negligence litigation in Malawi and may influence how healthcare institutions strengthen patient safety measures to prevent similar incidents in the future.
