Nadi doctor under investigation after death of patient

A directive has been issued for an investigation to be conducted following the death of a man at the Nadi hospital after the doctor who was meant to begin an overnight duty failed to turn up for duty.

The 76-year-old man died of cardiac arrest on Saturday night and according to the Health Ministry, the doctor was scheduled to start her shift at 8pm and initial inquiries reveal that she had failed to report for duty.

The man was taken to the hospital at 11pm Saturday.

Health Minister Dr Neil Sharma said the man had been in an advanced state of respiratory distress when admitted to the hospital and the nurses did everything they could.

However, he said this is no excuse for him not to have been seen by a doctor.

Doctor Sharma said if there has been any dereliction of duty, the consequences for the doctor involved will be severe.


Story by: Praneeta Prakash