Doctor in long-delayed hearing over blunder says he thought baby was choking

Hong Kong doctor testifies for first time in 16-year-old case, says he misdiagnosed choking in newborn who suffered permanent disability. | Contesto: cronaca

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• Doctor in long-delayed hearing over blunder says he thought baby was choking

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A Hong Kong doctor accused of a medical blunder that left a newborn permanently disabled 16 years ago testified for the first time on Sunday, telling the Medical Council that he initially believed the infant was choking and did not return to the hospital immediately. Dr Sit Sou-chi, a private practitioner, is facing disciplinary proceedings over his treatment of baby Li Yuanjian, the son of a mainland Chinese couple, in what has become one of the city’s longest-running medical negligence hearings. The case dates back to 2008, when the infant was brought to a Hong Kong hospital with breathing difficulties. Dr Sit, who was on call at the time, said he diagnosed the emergency as a choking incident and did not rush back to examine the child in person. The doctor’s testimony on Sunday marked the first time he has spoken publicly about the incident, more than a decade and a half after the alleged blunder left the boy with severe and permanent disabilities. During the hearing, Dr Sit contested the allegation that he failed to conduct all necessary and immediate investigations. He argued that his initial assessment of choking was reasonable given the symptoms presented, and that he believed the situation did not warrant his immediate return to the hospital. However, medical experts have previously suggested that a more thorough examination could have prevented the catastrophic outcome. The case has drawn significant attention in Hong Kong, not only because of the severity of the child’s injuries but also due to the prolonged legal and disciplinary process. The Medical Council’s proceedings have been repeatedly delayed, with the doctor only now presenting his side of the story. The boy’s family has long sought accountability, arguing that the delay in treatment amounted to a grave failure of duty. Dr Sit’s defense hinges on the claim that his mistake was one of judgment rather than negligence. He maintained that he acted in good faith based on the information available to him at the time. The Medical Council must now weigh whether his actions fell below the accepted standard of care expected of a medical professional in Hong Kong. The implications of the case extend...

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Categoria: cronaca