In Balkhash, the trial concerning the death of Meruert Aulbayeva has been suspended due to the hospitalisation of the accused doctor. The head of the surgical department at the city's multidisciplinary hospital, who is charged with negligence resulting in the death of a patient, fell ill suddenly just before the next court hearing.
As reported by the victim's brother, Aitbek Aulbayev, on social media, the defendant was hospitalised in the same hospital where he works and where the tragedy occurred. According to the relative, this raises serious doubts about the authenticity of the illness, especially given that the hospital management had previously openly promised to help the accused.
For context, the case concerning the death of Meruert Aulbayeva began in November 2023, when the 47-year-old resident of Balkhash died from multiple organ failure following a series of unsuccessful operations. The investigation lasted a year and a half, and only in April 2025 were the case materials submitted to the court with an indictment.
According to the investigation, Meruert first visited the Balkhash hospital on 24 July 2023, but was refused hospitalisation. Three days later, she returned again with a private specialist's diagnosis of appendiceal abscess with peritonitis, but the doctors gave a different diagnosis and adopted a watchful waiting approach. Surgery was only performed on 3 August, despite an abscess requiring emergency intervention within two hours.
The first operation was carried out by the head of surgery, who is now the accused. Later, expert reports identified multiple errors in his actions. The patient was discharged prematurely despite having a fever, and then her sick leave was closed altogether.
On 4 October, emergency hospitalisation and a repeat operation were required, also performed with violations. On 18 October, a third intervention was carried out, which specialists described as an operation of desperation. During the operations, the intestine was removed in pieces, indicating serious complications. Only in November did doctors seek help from the regional hospital, but it was too late. On 4 November, a final operation was performed by a surgeon from another city, but two days later Meruert died.
The Department of Medical Control identified numerous violations in the patient's treatment. A forensic medical examination established a direct causal link between the actions of the medical staff and the woman's death. Experts also discovered that doctors made more than 200 changes to the electronic medical record after the patient's death, and in the post-mortem summary they listed a diagnosis of Crohn's disease, which had been applied unlawfully.
The family's lawyer, Ibrahim Saduakasov, notes the suspicious circumstances of the defendant's hospitalisation. According to him, the accused continues to work as a doctor in the same hospital, which creates a conflict of interest. The lawyer also points out that the defendant's own lawyer had previously fallen ill suddenly before a hearing, and the following day submitted a motion for a repeat expert examination.
The victim's brother believes that what is happening is an attempt to delay the trial and evade responsibility. He has appealed to the Ministry of Healthcare, questioning whether the protection of the defendant by the hospital management is the official position of the healthcare system.
Aitbek Aulbayev also criticises lobbying efforts for the idea that medical workers should not be punished for negligence. In his view, this effectively legalises the possibility of even more negligent attitudes among doctors towards their duties.
The trial has been suspended until the defendant recovers. The victim's family intends to continue fighting for justice and to secure punishment for those responsible for Meruert Aulbayeva's death.