A court in Uzbekistan's Surkhandarya region has convicted two surgeons of professional negligence that led to the death of a pregnant woman. The Kyzyryk District Criminal Court sentenced each doctor to three years of restricted freedom and banned them from practicing surgery within the Ministry of Health system for one year and six months. A copy of the verdict was obtained by the editorial team.
The tragic incident occurred in July 2025, when a woman 31 weeks pregnant sought care at a district medical association, complaining of abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. The on-duty surgeon performed only a visual examination and, despite the patient having a postoperative scar, failed to order necessary laboratory and instrumental tests to detect intestinal obstruction. The doctor diagnosed "acute functional stomach disorder," prescribed treatment and sent the woman home.
The next day, the patient's condition did not improve, and she returned to the hospital to see another on-duty surgeon. The second specialist also did not conduct repeat examinations, diagnosed chronic pancreatitis and referred her to the maternity ward, recommending she later go to the regional hospital.
Only on July 16 did the woman's deteriorating condition require emergency hospitalization at a medical facility in Denau district, where surgery revealed necrosis and perforation of a section of the small intestine. Despite the surgical intervention, on July 17 the woman died from peritonitis, sepsis and multiple organ failure. According to the forensic medical examination, timely diagnosis on the first day of her visit would have with high probability saved the life of the woman and her unborn child.
The court found both surgeons guilty under Part 3 of Article 116 of Uzbekistan's Criminal Code, "Improper performance of professional duties resulting in death by negligence." Each received a sentence of three years of restricted freedom and a ban on working as surgeons in the Ministry of Health system for one year and six months.
Source: podrobno.uz