A Malaysian court has awarded the family of a deceased woman US$1.3 million in damages after two obstetrics specialists were found guilty of medical negligence, which led to her death from severe blood loss. The High Court in Selangor held Dr. M Shanmugam and Dr. A Ravi accountable for leaving the critically bleeding patient in the care of unregistered nurses while they left the delivery room for a break.

The tragic incident occurred on January 9, 2019, after M Punita, aged 36, delivered her second child. Following the removal of her placenta, she began to experience severe bleeding. Despite reassurances that she was stable, the two doctors left the room, leaving Punita under the supervision of three unqualified nurses. When her mother noticed the heavy bleeding, the nurses attempted to manage the situation by using cotton, but her condition worsened.

Punita was eventually transferred to a hospital in critical condition, but despite emergency surgery and blood transfusions, she passed away due to massive blood loss and disseminated intravascular coagulation (DIC). The court condemned the doctors for neglecting to act promptly and monitor her condition, with Judge Norliza Othman emphasizing that this tragedy could have been prevented with proper care.

The court awarded damages to the family, including compensation for Punita’s pain and suffering, as well as for her children and parents. Additional costs were levied against the responsible doctors and the maternity clinic.

(Input from various sources)

(Rehash/Dr. Sruthi Suresh/MSM)