Medical Negligence Caused Eight Years Of Agony

It has been revealed that a patient has sued for compensation after she suffered eight years of 'torture' because of medical negligence and lack of care on the part of state doctors.

The victim claims she was left bedridden because of a clinical error involving a kidney stone. The patient's family stated that they had made countless attempts to contact the Minister of Health without getting a reply.

Doctor Matsakis said: "My personal opinion is that there was medical negligence. The reason I have decided to speak publicly about this is that I receive hundreds of similar complaints from patients who were not treated in a humane way, and definitely not in ways that European citizens should be treated."

He added: "After eight years of torture, the Ministry of Health has not only refused to take any measures, or assign responsibility for what happened, it has also failed to introduce any prevention measures so that cases like this are not repeated."

He pointed out that medical problems keep re-occurring in this country: "These are timeless problems- I am talking today about the same issues I did 15 years ago and still there is no light at the end of the tunnel."

Kidney Stone Problem
The patient was admitted to Limassol General Hospital in 2001 with a kidney stone. She underwent surgery to remove the stone, but the operation was unsuccessful. As a result of the medical negligence, she has been suffering from urinal infections, strong aches and bleeding.

The patient's family said that on several occasions they have pleaded with the Health Ministry to send the woman, a 54-year-old, abroad for treatment, but they claim that the Minister has been ignoring their telephone calls, faxes and letters.

Her son understandably is concerned with his mother's deteriorating state and has called for help: "My mother is suffering from terrible pains, bleeding, internal wounds and infections. This was caused by negligence on the part of doctors, but also pride and selfishness as they refuse to admit they made mistakes. Does she have to die before the Ministry of Health shows any interest?" asked her son.

The 54-year-old woman last January was taken to Nicosia General Hospital, where the Director of the Urology Department suggested that a stent was placed in her kidney: "We found out that this was an experimental treatment and its success rate is not yet certified, so we refused the stent option. I clearly asked them not to do anything without consulting with us. One day the doctor said he would examine her and instead, he placed the stent, without informing my mother and against her will," said her son.

He furthered by saying that the doctor's mislead his mother: "The doctor actually tried to deceive my mother. He told her that he wanted to examine her but that it would be painful so they would put her to sleep. When she woke up they had already placed the stent without telling her anything."

The stent caused further problems as the stone is still inside the woman's kidney. As a result, she has suffered from serious personal injuries ranging from internal wounds to pains.

However, the doctor who performed the first operation denies liability and refused to believe that the stone is still inside the patient.

Therefore, both her son and Dr Matsakis are still asking questions, waiting for answers to come forward and for someone to accept responsibility.

"Shouldn't they wonder who is to blame for this? Should anyone be punished? Are there people who are responsible for this and other cases? The Minister should consider these questions and he cannot continue to refuse to see the family," Dr Matsakis said.

At the time of writing, the case is still pending.

RESOURCE
Have you had an operation that went wrong? If so, you could make a medical negligence claim and win compensation for your suffering.