Doctor ordered to pay Rs 790k for medical negligence

SANGHAR:

A consumer court has ordered lady doctor Ghazala Rashid to pay Rs790,000 in compensation to Momal Jalbani, a patient who was the victim of medical negligence during her childbirth operation. The court, headed by Judge Ghulam Faiz Arbab, also imposed a fine of Rs200,000 on Dr Ghazala. In case of non-compliance, the doctor faces the possibility of serving a two-year prison sentence.

Hosh Muhammad Mangi, the counsel for the plaintiff, hailed the verdict as a landmark decision. Imam Bakhsh Jalbani, the petitioner and husband of the patient, accused Dr Ghazala Rashid of criminal negligence in his wife's treatment several years ago.

He stated that due to complications during a caesarean operation, the couple lost their child. After being discharged from the hospital three days post-surgery, Momal experienced severe pain at home. The couple returned to Dr Ghazala, who admitted her again for seven days, but her condition failed to improve.

Frustrated with the lack of progress, Imam Bakhsh sought treatment for his wife in Nawabshah, where Dr Farida Wagan diagnosed the problem, revealing that the caesarean operation had been performed improperly and an infection had developed, causing further complications. The petitioner further stated that he continued to visit Dr Ghazala's clinic for a year, but was met with expulsion and threats when seeking help.

In an effort to pay for his wife's ongoing treatment, Imam Bakhsh was forced to sell his cattle before filing a petition against Dr Ghazala Rashid in the consumer court.