10 September 2024 | 10:32

Critically ill baby sent to hospital by taxi in Aktobe region

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Tengrinews.kz - Authorities in the Aktobe region are investigating the death of a 7-month-old baby, who was reportedly transported to the hospital by taxi amid a serious medical condition.

On June 25, in the Shalkar district, a 7-month-old boy named Akbergen Baytibay passed away. He was the long-awaited and only child of a young couple living in the Birshogyr station. The family believes the tragedy was due to medical negligence. According to the father, doctors made incorrect decisions and delayed treatment when the baby was admitted in critical condition.

"My son was born via C-section and underwent surgery shortly after birth due to intestinal problems. He had a second surgery six months later and seemed fine. However, his condition suddenly worsened, and on June 24, the district doctor sent my wife and son to the Shalkar district hospital. They spent the night there, and the baby was in serious condition. In the morning, doctors decided to transport him to Aktobe. They put them in a taxi instead of calling an air ambulance or placing them on a train," recounted the father, Arman Zhubanishev.

Zhubanishev claimed that the baby’s condition deteriorated en route, leading to an emergency stop at the Emba hospital.

"In Emba, they couldn't find any doctors during working hours. My wife ran through the halls for 3-4 hours asking for help. Only then was an air ambulance called, but by then it was too late, as helicopters do not fly at night. Medical personnel from Aktobe arrived in the morning, but by then, my son couldn’t breathe on his own. He died at the Emba hospital," Zhubanishev recalled.

Despite his grief, Zhubanishev is determined to seek answers. He has filed a complaint with the Ministry of Health's medical and pharmaceutical control committee.

"The department's findings indicate that the child died due to the lack of timely medical services. The case has been reported to the police, and a criminal case has been opened under Article 317 of the Criminal Code for 'Improper Provision of Medical Services.' A forensic medical examination will determine the cause of death and identify responsibility. Preliminary findings suggest that both Shalkar and Emba hospitals may be at fault since the death was preventable," said the victims' lawyer, Venera Tapayeva.

The regional health department acknowledged possible medical negligence but noted that other factors also contributed to the child’s death.

"Yes, the Shalkar district hospital did not timely notify our emergency staff in Aktobe—pediatricians, surgeons, and intensivists. They transported the child on their own instead of setting up a teleconference consultation. It should be noted that the child was already in a very critical state upon arrival. It is uncertain whether the outcome would have been different. The child was born prematurely and had ongoing health issues," said Askat Balikov, Deputy Head of the Aktobe Region Health Department.

The health department also reported that the heads of both hospitals involved received formal reprimands. However, the family feels this punishment is inadequate and plans to pursue legal action.

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