Science student from Vadodara dies after surgical cotton allegedly left in stomach

A 16-year-old Class 12 science student died while undergoing treatment after surgical cotton was allegedly left inside her stomach during an operation at a private hospital in Vadodara. The girl’s family has accused the doctor of medical negligence and demanded that a criminal case be registered.

The student, identified as Sanjana Vaghela, was a resident of Maheshwarinagar Society on Makarpura GIDC Road. She had been suffering from stomach pain and was admitted to Harshal Hospital near the Gurukul Crossroads on Waghodia Road a few days before Diwali.

According to the family, Sanjana was diagnosed with a stomach tumour and underwent surgery performed by Dr Vijaysinh Rajput. She was discharged after the operation, but her condition reportedly deteriorated again a few days later, with severe abdominal pain.

On New Year’s Day, she was taken to a hospital in Makarpura, where doctors conducted a CT scan and found that surgical cotton had been left inside her stomach during the earlier procedure. As a result, she required another operation. However, her condition worsened and she died during treatment on Tuesday.

Family members alleged that when they attempted to contact Dr Rajput, he informed them that he was out of town and advised them to proceed with surgery at the hospital where she was admitted. They further claimed that the doctor later stopped responding to their calls.

Following the teenager’s death, the family lodged a complaint with the police, seeking action against the doctor for alleged negligence. Police officials said an investigation has been initiated based on the complaint. Attempts to contact the doctor at Harshal Hospital were unsuccessful.