A nurse in Malawi has been suspended after her selfie in a labor ward showing a naked pregnant woman in the background surfaced online.

Patricia Malichi's selfie, which has an unidentified pregnant woman lying on a hospital bed at Ndirande Health Centre in Blantyre city, provoked public anger on social media with many Malawians calling for her dismissal.

Malawi's Ministry of Health spokesman Joshua Malango told CNN the midwifery council and the district health authorities were handling the case.

The health ministry is also investigating whether the photo was leaked or posted by the midwife.

"We don't want to judge her, and that's why we're working with the council for a fair trial and a clear investigation of the matter, and for them to come up with a recommendation," Malango told CNN.

"We want to find out how that picture ended up in the public domain."

He, however, dismissed local media reports that nurses have been banned from bringing mobile devices into clinics in the country following the incident.

Medics have come under fire for sharing private information of patients in their care. (CNN)