Shocking Medical Negligence: $1.8 Million Award for Family After Mother's Tragic Death Post-Childbirth in Malaysia!

In a harrowing case that has sent shockwaves through the medical community, a Malaysian family has been awarded nearly RM6 million (S$1.82 million) after their beloved mother tragically bled to death just hours after delivering her second child. The incident, which unfolded at the Shan Clinic and Birth Centre in Klang, Selangor, highlights significant failings in medical care during a critical time for new mothers.

Ms. Punitha Mohan, only 36 years old at the time, was admitted to the clinic on January 8, 2019, and delivered her baby around 10:30 AM the following day under the supervision of Dr. Ravi Akambaram, a physician with an impressive track record of over 8,500 births. Despite his experience, however, Dr. Akambaram and his colleague, Dr. Shanmugam Muniandi, are facing severe scrutiny after the court found their neglect contributed to Ms. Punitha's tragic fate.

Just an hour after giving birth, and while her family was eagerly waiting to see their new addition, Ms. Punitha began to bleed profusely. Eyewitness accounts from her family reveal a troubling scene: Dr. Ravi allegedly left the clinic moments after informing the family he needed to manually extract the placenta, claiming he would only be gone for a short while. Disturbingly, it was later discovered that he went out for a drink, while Dr. Shanmugam also exited the delivery room, leaving Ms. Punitha under the care of three nurses—none of whom were registered with Malaysia's Health Ministry.

As the hours went by, the situation deteriorated. Around 12:35 PM, nurses finally contacted a nearby hospital seeking expert assistance for a critical case. By then, Ms. Punitha was visibly struggling; her body temperature had dropped, and she was unable to breathe properly. Tragically, the two doctors were absent during this critical period. Dr. Ravi returned to the clinic nearly 30 minutes later, only for Ms. Punitha to be transported to a hospital where emergency surgery was performed. Despite efforts to revive her, she succumbed to her injuries later that day.

In her judgment, presiding Judge Norliza Othman condemned the physicians for their failure to ensure the patient's safety after delivery and highlighted that postpartum hemorrhage, a life-threatening condition if untreated, could have been managed with prompt medical intervention. The court found that the negligence exhibited by the doctors was inexcusable, especially when Ms. Punitha's life could have been saved with timely action.

The family’s awarded damages include RM1 million for each of Ms. Punitha's two children—a poignant reminder of the children who will grow up without their mother—and RM1.5 million in aggravated damages against Dr. Ravi, along with RM700,000 from Dr. Shanmugam. This case has ignited conversations about the quality of maternal healthcare in Malaysia and the responsibilities of medical professionals towards their patients, especially in high-risk scenarios.

As the legal battle comes to a close, questions remain about the accountability of healthcare providers and measures that must be taken to prevent such heartbreaking tragedies from occurring in the future. The family, while devastated by their loss, hopes that this judgment serves as a catalyst for change, ensuring that no other family has to endure a similar fate.

Stay tuned as this story continues to develop, and join the conversation on how we can advocate for better maternal care!