A female patient who has been facing two-and-a-half years of physical and psychological suffering on account of an act of negligence during a past stay at Mater Dei Hospital has filed a judicial protest against the relative authorities.

Antonia Bajada, 55, from Lija, had undergone a simple medical intervention and was receiving post-operative treatment when the alleged wrongdoing took place.

One of the medical staff attending to her failed to remove a swab from a deep wound which consequently never healed. This caused physical pain, discomfort, fever and rigours in the woman who, on several occasions, aired her grievances with the hospital staff.

However, Ms Bajada received no solace or support. Rather, she was often lightly dismissed by the hospital staff who told her that she was creating a fuss and that 'it was all in the mind'.

As a result of the negligent act, the woman suffered serious medical repercussions which were likely to be incurable.

To make matters worse, a grievance letter to the hospital authorities last August remained unanswered. There appeared to be no intention on the part of the medical and political authorities to set up an internal inquiry or to call in the police to investigate the gross negligence.

For this reason, Ms Bajada informed the First Hall, Civil Court that she would be holding the relative authorities responsible for all damages resulting from this medical ordeal.

The judicial act was filed against the Health Minister, chief medical officer Dennis Vella Baldacchino, clinical director Joseph Zarb Adami and Mater Dei CEO Ivan Falzon.

Lawyer Bernard Grech signed the judicial protest.