Masvingo Provincial Hospital Surgeon Faces Culpable Homicide Charges After Leaving Bandage Inside Patient

Prominent surgeon at Masvingo Provincial Hospital, Dr Noel Ralph Zulu, aged 45, appeared in court yesterday, accused of culpable homicide. The case is being heard at the Masvingo Magistrates Court and revolves around the tragic death of a patient following a surgical procedure. The charges are framed under Section 49 of Zimbabwe’s Criminal Law (Codification and Reform) Act (Chapter 9:23).

Representing the State, prosecutor Mike Tembo alleges that Dr. Zulu made a critical error during surgery by leaving a 30cm by 30cm surgical bandage inside the patient, Gladys Sibanda. This oversight is said to have occurred during a procedure conducted in 2015, and it allegedly led to a severe infection that ultimately claimed Sibanda’s life on July 16 of last year.

The prosecution contends that Dr. Zulu’s failure to remove the gauze constitutes negligence, directly resulting in the fatal outcome. Tembo argued that this tragedy could have been prevented if proper medical protocols had been followed.

Timeline of Events Leading to Sibanda’s Death

According to court documents, Gladys Sibanda first sought medical attention in September 2015 at Masvingo Provincial Hospital, where Dr. Zulu conducted a medical examination. After noticing symptoms of concern, the doctor recommended a CT scan, which revealed that Sibanda had a swollen liver.

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Dr Noel Ralph Zulu — Surgeon accused of culpable homicide-Image Source@X

Following this diagnosis, Dr Zulu advised that surgery was necessary, and the procedure occurred shortly afterwards. However, after the operation, Sibanda’s condition began to deteriorate. She reported severe chest pains and developed abdominal swelling, prompting Dr. Zulu to perform a second surgical intervention in an attempt to rectify the situation.

Despite these efforts, her health continued to decline. On the day of her passing, Sibanda was admitted to St Anthony Hospital in Zaka, where she died. The post-mortem examination revealed the presence of surgical gauze in her abdomen, along with pus and other severe signs of infection, including a damaged liver.

Dr. Zulu’s Defense

Dr. Zulu, a highly trained surgeon, has maintained his innocence throughout the trial, insisting that he adhered to the appropriate standards of medical care during both surgical procedures. His defence team argues that several other factors contributed to Sibanda’s death and that the infection cannot be solely attributed to the surgical gauze left inside her body.

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The defence further points out that medical complications are not uncommon in high-risk surgeries, and they suggest that the outcome, in this case, was due to a combination of factors beyond Dr Zulu’s control.

Legal and medical experts are paying close attention as Provincial Magistrate Bishard Chineka is scheduled to deliver the final ruling next Wednesday. This verdict could impact Dr Zulu’s future and set a precedent for handling similar cases in the Zimbabwean healthcare system.