Malpractice finding is ruled 'premature'

Dubai: A medical committee is continuing its investigation into the death of a 37-year-old man following a routine sinus surgery, despite a police report concluding it was malpractice, saying it was too soon for the whole picture.

Police yesterday ruled that the death of Showkat Nazir last month was malpractice, after an autopsy found evidence of medical error, and referred the case to the Public Prosecution Office.

Brigadier Abdul Jalil Mahdi, Deputy Director of Dubai Police's Preventative Security Department, told Gulf News that the autopsy report showed that the ear, nose and throat (ENT) surgeon went deeper than he should have done. He added that the victim died as a result of bleeding due to that wound.

Autopsy results

The Department of Health and Medical Services (Dohms), which is also investigating Showkat's death, would likely incorporate the autopsy results into their inquiry.

Dr Eisa Kazim, Assistant Director-General of medical affairs at Dohms and head of the central mortality and morbidity committee, told Gulf News that the committee might have to consider the autopsy results.

He added that the conclusion of malpractice only on the part of the doctor at this time was "jumping the gun".

"We have to go through the whole professional process first. We cannot [just] say that the doctor was at fault. We need to get a group of experts to say [whether malpractice occurred or not] because sometimes procedures can develop complications," he said.

He said negligence and some instances of malpractice, be it on the part of the surgeon or hospital, could only be proven via confirmation from the medical investigation committee, comprising officials from Dohms and Shaikh Khalifa Medical City.

However, he said the family could go forward with their suit against the hospital.

Showkat's family lodged a complaint with the police and Dohms after Showkat lapsed into a coma following a bilateral endoscopic sinus surgery at NMC Hospital on September 2 to remove polyps in his sinus.

He died three weeks later, leaving behind a wife and a 16-month old son.

Nahid Assad Basu, Showkat's widow, was relieved that Dohms was continuing their investigation, even as the police confirmed her suspicions.

"It's what I have said from the start. But I'm not happy until I finish fighting the case to the end and find all the parties responsible," she said.

NMC Hospital would not comment, saying they were still waiting for the autopsy report.

The funeral is scheduled for tomorrow.