Two doctors convicted over death of a female patient in Abu Dhabi

Sohaila Ahmed, Staff Reporter

The UAE Supreme Federal Court upheld the Public Prosecution’s appeal against a verdict acquitting two doctors from the charge of causing the death of a female patient.

The court referred to the Medical Liability Committee’s report and its supplementary report, which indicated that there was a failure in not performing the catheter procedure for the patient on time; also indicating that the patient suffered from chest pain and a severe drop in blood pressure.

Moreover, court pointed out that the delay in the catheterisation procedure is considered to be a medical failure, and that the first doctor bears all responsibility in not informing the consultant of how serious the case is, while the second doctor takes responsibility for delaying the procedure until the second day.

The Court of First Instance acquitted the two doctors, while the public prosecution and the plaintiff of civil right appealed the verdict, and the court of appeal convicted the two doctors and slapped them a fine of Dhs30,000 each on charges of causing the death of the patient. The court also obligated the doctors to pay the blood money to the heirs of the deceased.