Supreme Court Rules Patient Death During Delivery Not Automatic Proof of Medical Negligence

The Supreme Court has dismissed a petition that sought criminal proceedings against doctors following the death of a woman during the birth of twin girls at a private hospital in Islamabad, holding that a patient's death during medical treatment cannot by itself be treated as proof of criminal negligence.

In a written verdict spanning six pages, Justice Ishtiaq Ibrahim observed that the doctors had followed established medical procedures to treat the patient and that her consent for the operation had been obtained before the delivery took place. The court noted there was no material on record indicating that any doctor intended to cause the woman's death, nor was it established that anaesthesia was administered for any purpose other than medical treatment.

The verdict further stated that nothing on record proved the doctors had acted in bad faith or had knowledge of circumstances that could turn the medical procedure into a punishable offence. The court also pointed out that the Pakistan Medical and Dental Council (PMDC) had withdrawn its preliminary proceedings relating to the alleged medical negligence.

According to the Supreme Court, there was no justification to interfere with the decisions of the subordinate court and the Islamabad High Court, and the petition requesting criminal proceedings against the doctors was accordingly dismissed.

The case originated after the woman's husband initiated criminal proceedings against the doctors following his wife's death after she gave birth to twin girls. The ruling reinforces the principle that an adverse medical outcome alone does not establish criminal liability on the part of treating physicians.