JEDDAH: The death of a 32-year-old woman at the King Fahd Medical City in September was due to medical malpractice and neglect, alleges the woman’s husband.

Zinah Al-Shehri, a mother of three, was admitted to the hospital to undergo a simple one-day endoscopy operation to examine her uterus. She later suffered kidney, liver and lung failure, and eventually died, said her husband Saleh Al-Shehri.

Saleh told Arab News that following the operation Zinah was awake, able to interact, eat and drink, and was given permission to leave hospital.

According to her medical report, which Arab News has, Zinah began experiencing stomach pains, dizziness and vomiting, and was kept in hospital and given painkillers.

Her condition worsened and she was admitted to the ICU as she suffered septic shock and cardiac arrest.

The report added that the 32-year-old underwent general surgery to repair a hole in her intestines caused by a mistake during the endoscopy operation.

Saleh said there were mistakes in the way the surgery was undertaken and that discharged waste was allowed to enter his wife’s body. He added that Zinah’s condition worsened, her fever increased and her heart stopped a number of times.

“She felt our presence and we could only see her tears rolling down her checks,” said Saleh, adding that he was only able to acquire his wife’s medical report a week ago.

He said that when he informed the staff about Zinah’s stomach pains, he was told everything was fine and that Zinah wanted to be “pampered.”

“The second day, the examining doctor said her condition was serious. After 27 days of complete suffering she died,” he said.

Saleh is now calling on the committee investigating his wife’s case to speed up their queries and punish those responsible.

He also called on the authorities to award him and his children compensation for the emotional and psychological torture they have suffered.

“My six-year-old daughter is still asking for her mother and waiting for her to return from hospital. How can we replace a dedicated mother and wife,” said Saleh.

He added that his mother has come from Taif to look after his children — Ahmad 11, Khalid, 10, and Rinad, 6.

Dr. Ismail Al-Za’azoue, coordinator of the committee investigating the case, said the team — which includes a gynecologist, an ICU consultant and a surgery consultant — is investigating all medical staff involved in the case and has looked into Zinah’s medical report and the video of the endoscopy operation.

Dr. Al-Za’azoue said the mistake was “unintentional” and that another committee, including a judge, would also look into the case to decide what type of compensation could be awarded and what sort of punishment those responsible should be given.

He added that the doctor who undertook the operation has been suspended from operating until investigations are completed.

He said the final decision would be “just” and that the compensation would be divided among the five doctors involved in the case, based on their individual share of responsibility.