UAE | Health
Briton brings Dh10m suit against hospital
A psychotherapist has filed for Dh10 million in compensation from a private hospital that allegedly gave her a wrong diagnosis when she took a preliminary breast cancer screening test only to be told at a later stage that she had a malignant tumour.
- By Bassam Za'za', Senior Reporter
- Published: 23:30 August 31, 2008
Dubai: A psychotherapist has filed for Dh10 million in compensation from a private hospital that allegedly gave her a wrong diagnosis when she took a preliminary breast cancer screening test only to be told at a later stage that she had a malignant tumour.
The Dubai Civil Court is currently looking into the British psychotherapist's lawsuit in which she has claimed that she would have stood a better chance of survival had she been properly diagnosed at an earlier stage by the Dubai hospital.
The woman mentioned in her lawsuit that she approached the hospital for a check-up in 2001 and that she was diagnosed with benign lymphatic tumours under her armpits at the time.
The woman said she went for another consultation in 2002 and the hospital tried to reassure her that the tumours were benign although they had shown enlargement since her previous check-up. She was also told she would not require any surgical intervention.
Records showed the claimant grew doubtful of the test results and insisted on a fresh check-up. The hospital told her that the right breast seemed normal and only ran tests on lumps in the left breast, which she was told were benign.
The claimant's worst fears turned out to be true when she went for a check-up at a specialised clinic. She was informed that the "right breast tumour is malignant and required to be instantly operated upon and removed".
The woman said in her lawsuit that she subsequently travelled to the US where she underwent surgery followed by eight months of chemotherapy treatment.
She lodged a complaint before the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services (DOHMS) after the private hospital failed to assign a committee to look into her claims.
A special investigation committee from DOHMS decided that the hospital committed a medical malpractice, treated the claimant negligently and misdiagnosed her medical condition.
A DOHMS report said the hospital's alleged negligence shortened the woman's life. The report suggested that she would have had a 40 per cent greater chance of survival had she been correctly diagnosed. The court adjourned its next hearing till later this month.
The hospital tried to reassure the claimant that she would not need surgery to remove the lump despite her fears.
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