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Note: This article is written by the doctor’s daughter in an attempt to clarify the case.
The other side of the story which is being discussed on several pages these days trying to defame the name of a well-reputed doctor Dr. Fauzia Akmal, a highly qualified, experienced and dignified doctor who was trusted across the city. She is extremely humble, warm and cares very deeply for each of her patients.
Unfortunately, about a week ago she faced a complication in one of her cases at Dar-ul-Sehat Hospital resulting in the passing away of a child. No doctor would ever want to convey a negative news by complicating their own patient’s case. I would like to shed some light on a few facts here for the smart people out there demanding the other side of the story to unveil the truth.
1. The case was a planned C-Section which the doctor herself decided initially:
The father mentions that the doctor was 4 hours late without notice but according to Dr. Fauzia, she informed him that she was far away from the hospital, caught up in another case and would be late. She checked-in for operation at the earliest i.e. 7 am. The Anesthetist, as well as the other staff, were all ready for the C-Section to be performed but just at the moment when the patient was being taken into the theater she informed the doctor she was having labor pains.
On hearing this, Dr. Fauzia examined her and changed her initial decision. She informed the staff to shift her to the labor room to give a trial for normal delivery. The patient’s in-laws appreciated the quick decision of doctor since they themselves were in favor of the baby being delivered normally.
2. Dr. Fauzia treated her as she did other patients:
The father also mentions in the post that the doctor disappeared for 12 hours, trying to imply that she was careless. Perhaps, he is unaware of how normal deliveries take place. When a patient is prepared to deliver normally, the junior staff and RMOs are instructed to monitor the patient until the time of the procedure. This is the professional way things work. A consultant never stands by the patient throughout the entire time.
Dr. Fauzia was in contact with the staff constantly and arrived at the hospital exactly when needed. She re-examined the patient and decided to perform an emergency C-Section. Even at this time, the in-laws of the patient expressed disapproval of the doctor’s decision for performing a cesarian, in the response of which Dr. Fauzia explained to them that her decision was in the best interest of both baby and mother.
3. Dr. Fauzia is against the “butchering” trends of Gynaecologists:
The father of the child has further mentioned that Dr. Fauzia did not inform him correctly about the situation, which again is not true. During the procedure, as the baby was pulled out he started having respiratory problems and was not breathing but was immediately resuscitated by the Anesthetist himself. The resuscitation process was successful and the baby started breathing. At this time the family was counseled negatively by the Pediatricians, exaggerating the child’s condition but the Gynaecologist reassured the family that the baby is alright since it was responsive at that time. The nursery of Darul Sehat Hospital was not up to the standards of the family hence they shifted the mother and child to another hospital.
Unfortunately, after 2 days, the baby expired. Deepest condolences to the family who lost their child. Nevertheless, placing the entire blame on the doctor’s shoulders is unfair, to say the least. Neonatologists and Pediatricians were also involved including many other things that resulted in the child’s death but nothing could have possibly prevented it as death is not in the hands of humans.
We must understand Gynaecology is a profession where doctors are dealing with life and death. They measure their decisions very carefully, but even after careful analysis at times deaths occur and placing the entire blame on the doctor’s shoulders and calling them butchers, murderers etc. are unfair. Dr. Fauzia is known for always trying her best to perform normal deliveries as she herself is against the “butchering” trend of Gynaecologists nowadays. To Mr. Basit, the father of the child, you trusted the doctor with your wife’s case, therefore, you should accept her decision.
It’s important to note that the operation was delayed to give the trial for normal only because the family preferred it and the patient informed the doctor about having labor pains. The baby didn’t die at the time of operation, the baby died 2 days after. The doctor’s only fault was that she took the family’s preference into consideration and delayed the operation.
Now Patient’s Family Is Threatening Dr. Fauzia, Is That Okay?
Dr. Fauzia briefed the family from day one that normal delivery is not possible. She counseled the patient and her in-laws about the pros and cons and explained the complexities of the case to them on nearly every visit. Dr. Fauzia changed her decision after examining Mrs. Basit because she felt that it was in her favor and that normal delivery was still possible. [fact: It is not impossible for patients with gestational diabetes to deliver normally, although there may be a risk factor involved. 4 kg baby even though overweight maybe delivered normally as well]. None of the family members disagreed or insisted against the doctor giving a trial for normal delivery even though they were very clearly briefed about the risks, they still appreciated the doctors’ decision.
The father of the child and his brother are harassing the doctor, threatening her, demanding for compensation for their loss. It’s true that their loss is too much to be compensated for so what are they after? Dr. Fauzia will surely not let this bring her down or affect her in any way, she too sent her condolences to the family but only received inappropriate replies.
Dr. Fauzia did not receive a penny for the procedure she performed. She excused her entire fee. The money paid by Mr. Basit was the Hospital fee which includes room charges, theatre charges, service charges, Anesthetist fee and medicines etc plus NICU charges. For which he asked Dr. Fauzia to sign a document which would allow him to receive a reimbursement by the company he works for in UAE. Dr. Fouzia willingly and gladly signed that document but somehow is still being harassed by the family and we’re wondering what for.
Mr. Basit’s brother publicly posted a picture of Dr. Fauzia online. He had no right to do that. She practices hijab and covers her face, putting up a picture of her like that means attacking not only her but her entire family directly. We understand the grief their loss must have caused but portraying Dr. Fauzia as a terrorist or criminal of some kind, putting up pictures of her like this can’t and won’t be tolerated.
I would like to put forward a few cases of her patients who were brave enough to defend her publicly for the way she handled their case. She is a very devoted doctor and handles each case with extreme care. A few doctors have commented on the case with the little information provided and they were in favor of Dr. Fauzia.
I, daughter of the doctor still encourage fair and in-depth investigation of this case, I am positive Dr. Fauzia’s name will come out clean. It’s just not possible to file a case against a doctor, as, for the threats, they’re hollow and won’t affect the doctor or her practice in any way. I would also like to remind the accusing party that Dr. Fauzia is not alone. She not only has the support of her entire family but also the hospital, her fellow doctors, and her loyal patients. Further, I would like to invite any doctor (Gynaecologist), who feels obligated, to thoroughly examine this case at will. That obviously would require the file and records which can only be accessed by authorities.
