ABU DHABI // A doctor misplaced a screw during a back operation, leaving his patient deformed, a court heard today.
J?F, from South Africa, is appealing against a Dh5,000 fine after being found guilty of negligence.
His lawyer told the Appeals Court head judge, Dr Khairi Al Kabbash, that the doctor was not told what kind of deformity his patient is claiming to have suffered. The doctor said he operated on the patient four or five years ago and did not see him again.
He is also accused of taking too long to X-ray the patient after the surgery, compounding the problem. The doctor insisted he had done nothing wrong.
The medical report says the patient had three operations, but the second and third were done at inappropriate times. It also notes, however, that the deterioration in his condition was not caused by a lack of medical care.
The doctor said he had an X-ray done straight after the first operation, a CT scan immediately after the second operation, two days later, and an MRI after the third operation the following day.
The patient was summoned to appear but was out of the country. The defence asked for an adjournment to prepare its case.
The first court to rule in the case did not issue a verdict on blood money for the injury, so the Cassation Court asked for a second hearing. The case was adjourned to June 23.
hdajani@thenational.ae
