Family Awarded RM5.9 Mil After Patient Bleeds To Death While Doctors Leave To Have A Drink
"This level of neglect is inexcusable and directly contributed to the untimely death of a healthy mother," said High Court judge Norliza Othman.
By May Vin Ang — 10 Jan 2025, 02:50 PM
Two obstetrics specialists have been ordered by the Klang High Court to pay RM5.9 million in damages to the family of a woman who bled to death at their maternity centre
According to the New Straits Times, judge Norliza Othman delivered the decision after finding them guilty of medical negligence, which resulted in the mother's death while under their care.
The victim, 36-year-old M Punita, died due to postpartum haemorrhage on 9 January 2019, just hours after giving birth at Shan Maternity and Birthing Centre in Klang.
The family had sued the centre's doctors, Dr M Shanmugam and Dr A Ravi, and its staff, Izaniey Nataliah Jukimin, Nur Aida Mat Isa, and Nessy Yasah, over Punita's death.
The court heard that Punita began bleeding heavily when her placenta was removed after giving birth to her second child at the centre, which is owned by Dr Shanmugam
During this time, it is said Dr Ravi had left the clinic for a drink, leaving the mother in the care of three 'nurses', who were later found to be unregistered with the Health Ministry.
The three staff were instructed to monitor the mother's condition as Dr Shanmugam was also seen leaving the delivery room.
When Punita's mother later entered the delivery room, she found her daughter bleeding profusely while the staff attempted to stop the bleeding. It was noted that both doctors were absent during this critical moment.
Punita was later transferred to Tengku Ampuan Rahimah Hospital, where she eventually died despite emergency surgery and transfusions.
In her ruling, judge Norliza Othman said the maternity centre lacked basic medical supplies, such as medication to control uterine bleeding and equipment to manage postpartum complications
She also noted that both Dr Ravi and Dr Shanmugam had failed to take immediate action to save Punita's life, such as delaying her transfer to a hospital capable of handling such emergencies.
"Despite their extensive experience in obstetrics, both doctors failed to anticipate complications commonly associated with childbirth, such as eclampsia and retained placenta leading to postpartum haemorrhage.
"Both of them left the delivery room without ensuring the deceased was free from complications. The nurses, who were not proven to have proper qualifications, were left to manage the patient.
"The collective negligence of the defendants directly contributed to the deceased's severe injuries, leading to her death," Norliza said in her grounds of judgment.
"This level of neglect is inexcusable and directly contributed to the untimely death of a healthy mother," she added.
The court awarded Punita's family RM5,993,936 in damages, including the following:
– RM500,000 for the pain and suffering of the deceased
– RM1 million each for the deceased's two children
– RM300,000 for each of her parents
– RM1.5 million in aggravated damages against Dr Ravi
– RM700,000 in aggravated damages against Dr Shanmugam and his clinic
– RM100,000 in punitive damages
