Dubai: A gynaecologist has been ordered to pay Dh430,000 in compensation to a housewife, who became infertile following a botched laparoscopic operation of her Fallopian tube.

The American gynaecologist carried out the laparoscopic operation on the Libyan woman’s Fallopian tube to remove some adhesions and after that he allowed her to leave without proper follow up in 2012.

The Libyan woman and her husband lodged a civil lawsuit against the gynaecologist, whom prosecutors accused of malpractice and referred to the Dubai Misdemeanours Court.

The Dubai Cassation Court found the defendant guilty of carrying out the botched operation and found him responsible for the damages inflicted on the housewife. He was also fined Dh10,000.

The criminal court referred the claimant’s civil lawsuit to the pertinent Dubai Civil Court to look into the housewife’s claims.

Her lawyer Yousuf Al Beloushi, of Bin Suwaidan Advocates and Legal Consultants, argued in his lawsuit: “My client became permanently infertile due to the defendant’s mistake and she lost God’s most precious gift … the gift of becoming a mother. She and her husband sustained moral and emotional damages and we are seeking Dh6 million in compensation against that.”

The gynaecologist was convicted of mistakenly causing damage to the housewife as he failed to carry out his medical duties and responsibilities professionally.

The defendant entered a not guilty plea before the three courts [Misdemeanours, Appeal and Cassation].

Advocate Al Beloushi argued before the civil court: “My client had to undergo two follow-up surgeries after the botched laparoscopic operation in an attempt to fix the damages she incurred. The defendant discharged the claimant early without post-operation checks. After the operation the woman’s abdomen was bloated with gases and a brownish substance that had a bad odour. My client and her husband had high hopes that one day they would become parents … that hope has died due to the defendant’s recklessness that ended with her becoming infertile. Now she has constant fears that her husband might marry another woman because he also had hopes of becoming a father. Whenever she sits with other women [who are fertile], she feels imperfect and humiliated because of her infertility.”

The Libyan complainant had to travel to Germany for medical tests and check ups and treatment and follow up surgeries that cost her a fortune, contended the lawyer.

According to the Civil Court’s verdict, the gynaecologist has to pay Dh430,000 plus nine per cent legal interest to the housewife.

The primary ruling remains subject to appeal.