Doctor ordered to pay RM280,000 damages to Saudi woman

The High Court here ordered a doctor at a private hospital to pay RM280,000 in damages to a Saudi Arabian student who filed a suit over medical negligence concerning her labour which had caused grievous bodily harm resulting in the death of her baby.

Judicial Commissioner Rosilah Yop ordered Dr Seri Suniza Sufian to pay RM200,000 in general damages and a further RM80,000 for pain and suffering to Turkyah Abdul Rahman Assiri.

She made the ruling in chambers Tuesday before counsel Capt Abdul Razak Hashim representing Turkyah, 31, and counsel P. Bavina for the doctor.

Abdul Razak told reporters that the court also ordered the defendant to pay RM25,000 in costs to Turkyah.

He said the court held that the doctor was fully responsible for her action over the medical negligence.

Turkyah filed the suit on Jan 6 claiming that the doctor negligently used a 100 mcg 'Cytotec' tablet to induce labour of her fourth child who was born dead on Oct 16, 2010.

She further claimed that the doctor was negligent in using second stage 'oxytocin augmentation' during the process and as a result she suffered pain, loss and mental anguish.

Turkyah had sought RM5 million in damages, interest and other relief deemed fit by the court.