The son of a patient who died in a hospital in Uralsk has finally received compensation for his mother's death five years later, caused by medical negligence.
According to the press service of the West Kazakhstan Region courts, in 2019, a 76-year-old woman was admitted to the Uralsk city hospital with a high temperature and general weakness.
Doctors diagnosed her with chronic bronchitis and pneumonia, after which she was hospitalised in the therapeutic department.
Later, the patient's condition did not improve, and treatment was ineffective. A CT scan showed suspected pleurisy. After four weeks, the patient was transferred to the regional hospital, where she died.
During an investigation by the health department, to which the victim's son had complained of medical negligence, violations by the hospital were identified.
"The investigation materials were sent to the police department of the West Kazakhstan Region, where a criminal case was initiated, which was closed several times due to the absence of a criminal offence and was subsequently overturned by the prosecutor's office," the statement reads.
Meanwhile, the victim's son filed a lawsuit against the hospital seeking compensation for moral damages, stating that his mother's death resulted from poor-quality medical care and the inaction of the city hospital's doctors.
Experts found that the patient was prescribed medication without considering her age and existing chronic conditions. The administration of appropriate antibacterial drugs and haemodialysis could have prolonged the patient's life.
"Taking into account the medical records, expert conclusions, and the inspection report, the court considered that the failure to conduct timely repeat tests, underestimation of the patient's condition, delayed treatment adjustments, and the lack of a consultation and a nephrologist's opinion influenced the outcome of the disease and led to a fatal outcome," the statement said.
Ultimately, the court partially upheld the claim: the hospital was ordered to pay the plaintiff 2 million tenge in compensation for moral damages.
Earlier, in July, the brother of the deceased Balkhash resident Meruert Aulbayeva - Aitbek - spoke about the inaction of law enforcement agencies and accused doctors of his sister's death. The woman died in November 2023 from sepsis after an appendectomy.
At that time, an inspection by the Ministry of Health and an examination by the Ministry of Justice confirmed a link between the doctors' actions and his sister's death. Subsequently, Aitbek reported that the investigation into the death was deliberately being delayed.
According to Meruert's brother, at a meeting with the First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Marat Kozhayev, the Deputy Head of the Karaganda Regional Police Department Rashad Uteuov guaranteed that the investigation would be completed by the end of September. The same promise was made by the Karaganda Region Prosecutor Bauyrzhan Myrzakerov during a personal meeting with Aitbek Aulbayev.
However, a year after the tragic death of Meruert Aulbayeva, the pre-trial investigation is still ongoing.