Colleagues defend doctor over children's food poisoning deaths

DUBAI // Two NMC Hospital doctors yesterday defended a former colleague accused of medical negligence after two children died of food poisoning. Nathan D'Souza, five, and Chelsea D'Souza, seven, died last June after eating a takeaway meal from the Lotus Garden restaurant in Al Qusais. They were admitted to and later released from the hospital in Deira by an Iraqi doctor identified as ET, 45, who is being tried in the Dubai Court of Misdemeanours.

The NMC doctors, who were not identified, told the court yesterday that they were present when the children were admitted. They said ET followed correct procedures and that he was not negligent to release the children. A pathologist who failed to appear for the third time yesterday was again called to testify on May 17. Also charged in the case are a Nepalese chef TR, and a Filipina restaurant manager ES, both of whom face accusations of breaching hygiene standards.

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