Liposuction death hearing delayed

A malpractice case against seven private hospital employees was adjourned after the witness did not appear.

DUBAI // Seven employees of a private hospital who were charged with causing the accidental death of a woman following a botched liposuction operation have had their hearing adjourned by the Dubai Misdemeanors Court. The woman, LH, died after undergoing the surgery in Dubai. NC, a Filipina nurse charged in the medical malpractice case, was scheduled to appear in court yesterday. "The witness from the Dubai Department of Health and Medical Services did not appear in court today so the hearing was adjourned to Sept 15," NC's lawyer said yesterday. Two witnesses, ML, 38, and GM, 36, both Filipina nurses, could be asked to testify at a later date, he added.

Benito Valeriano, the consul general of the Philippines in Dubai, said the Government had approved free legal assistance for NC, 33. The Philippine government typically provides free legal aid only in capital punishment cases. NC, along with the others on trial, pleaded not guilty to medical malpractice when she first appeared in court on May 21. "In my statements with the Naif Police and public prosecution, I said that I had not done anything to cause the patient's death. The date of the surgery was Nov 15 last year. When I left the theatre, the patient was stable and conscious."

The health authorities in Dubai revoked her license. "I could not practise here in Dubai, but I was given an assurance that if I was innocent of the charges, I would get my nursing license back," NC said. She said another defendant, a Filipino medical technician, identified as RS, left the country last year when the investigation into the woman's death began. NC, who had worked at the private hospital for four years, said she would be handling reception duties during the trial.

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