Woman claims specialist's misdiagnosis cost her ovary, womb and kidney

[snoop1130]

Woman claims specialist's misdiagnosis cost her ovary, womb and kidney

By Seksanti Kanlayanawisut 
The Nation

 

 

A 33-year-old woman has accused a medical specialist of malpractice which led to the removal of her ovary and womb and the loss of one of her kidneys without permission.

 

“My life has been turned upside down because of his actions. At one point, I almost wanted to commit suicide,” Sinawaporn Homklang said on Friday. 

She did not identify the specialist, but made it clear he works at Udon Thani Hospital. 

 

Sinawaporn said that before she met the doctor, she was preparing to marry her Singaporean boyfriend and migrate to the island state. They planned to open a nursery there. 

 

She said her future husband “wants to have a baby. But after I underwent the operation, I have become estranged from him.”

 

Sinawaporn says she was initially diagnosed with intestinal obstruction in Songkhla province on June 16, this year, where she worked. 

 

After she got better and was discharged from the hospital she went to her hometown of Udon Thani to consult her mother, who is a health volunteer. 

 

While in Udon Thani, she said her symptoms became worse and she went to see a doctor at Udon Thani Hospital where she was hospitalised pending further diagnosis.

 

During her stay in hospital, she said a doctor told her she might have a chocolate cyst and it could be treated without a surgery. The specialist later concluded that there was 80 per cent probability that she had cancer. 

 

“I requested a double-check with endoscopy but he refused,” Sinawaporn said. 

 

She said she was coerced into agreeing to have surgery on June 26, in the belief that she had cancer.

 

“Following the surgery, I was told that my tissue had no cancer indication,” Sinawaporn added. 

 

After spending more than a month at the hospital, she said she found out that records at the hospital did not show that her ovary and womb had been removed. 

 

“My mother [went] to check the records because she wondered why I was not prescribed hormones after womb/ovary removal,” Sinawaporn said. 

After finding the suspicious records, she decided to file a complaint with several authorities. 

 

On October 22, the Udon Thani Public Health Office offered Sinawaporn Bt240,000 compensation but she turned it down. 

 

To add to her suffering, Sinawaporn said that on November 9, just as she was trying to remove the need to use a colostomy bag, she was told by another doctor that she had only one kidney. 

 

“The doctor has advised me not to work hard because I have just one kidney. How can such a thing happen?” Sinawaporn said. 

 

Accompanied by her mother, Sinawaporn on Friday lodged another complaint with the government’s complaint-receiving centre in Udon Thani province. 

 

“Now, I can’t help wondering if the medical specialist wants me to undergo the surgery so that he can take my kidney,” Sinawaporn said. 

 

She hoped he would be investigated for criminal and disciplinary wrongdoings. 

 

Udon Thani Hospital’s director Dr Narong Thadadej said the Udon Thai Public Health Office would need to investigate the case further because it had only recently received the report that Sinawaporn's kidney was also missing.

 

Source: http://www.nationmultimedia.com/detail/national/30360008

 

-- © Copyright The Nation 2018-12-7

[KhaoTan]

Wait a minute, this woman went in for a chocolate cyst (Ovary) and ended up with her kidney being removed? Something is very, very wrong! Unfortunately kidneys are a commodity---if this doctor did that they should be in prison! 

 

[Bob12345]

13 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

On October 22, the Udon Thani Public Health Office offered Sinawaporn Bt240,000 compensation but she turned it down. 

Typical sickening Thai way to make all problems disappear: offer cash. 

 

And many poor people who have no clue about what happened, what their rights are, and who are in need off money, might just take it with possible malpractise not being punished.

 

It is about time this whole negotiating stops. Let an independent judge or commission determine guilt and compensation. Its no justice when rich people can just buy off their responsibilities for pennies.

 

And that immediately explains why it will never change. Why would the rich, who control the system, make it a level playing field? 

[fdimike]

I don't understand how her kidney could have been removed without her knowledge.  I don't think it be can removed internally while doing a hysterectomy.  The surgery no matter what kind would have left a scar.  Dressings and special care would be required until the wound healed.  Additionally, why would they remove her rectum?  This entire story is totally bizarre to say the least.

Edited December 8, 2018 by fdimike
added more

[wvavin]

I begin to suspect the doctors in this hospital might have some dealings with human organs. 

[Lupatria]

15 hours ago, snoop1130 said:

On October 22, the Udon Thani Public Health Office offered Sinawaporn Bt240,000 compensation but she turned it down. 

Good revenue! Prices for a kidney on the black market as high as 6 to 7 million baht for the receiving patient in Europe and up to 8,5 mio baht in the U.S.

[The Deerhunter]

1 hour ago, Bob12345 said:

Typical sickening Thai way to make all problems disappear: offer cash. 

 

And many poor people who have no clue about what happened, what their rights are, and who are in need off money, might just take it with possible malpractise not being punished.

 

It is about time this whole negotiating stops. Let an independent judge or commission determine guilt and compensation. Its no justice when rich people can just buy off their responsibilities for pennies.

 

And that immediately explains why it will never change. Why would the rich, who control the system, make it a level playing field? 

Yes always just a little bit of cash and hope they agree.

[howbri]

...and Thailand raves about their great healthcare and people come from all over the world for surgery? BEWARE!!!!!

[CanuckThai]

This story could be another one of those Thai can of worms.   A perfect place to harvest organs, from a gullible population, where corruption, a few baht and a false belief in authority (doctors especially), can run rampant.

[CharlieH]

A post written in all CAPS has been removed.

[Ctkong]

2 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

Typical sickening Thai way to make all problems disappear: offer cash. 

 

And many poor people who have no clue about what happened, what their rights are, and who are in need off money, might just take it with possible malpractise not being punished.

 

It is about time this whole negotiating stops. Let an independent judge or commission determine guilt and compensation. Its no justice when rich people can just buy off their responsibilities for pennies.

 

And that immediately explains why it will never change. Why would the rich, who control the system, make it a level playing field? 

Medical malpractice is a serious offense. Medical professionals are registered. If found guilty of malpractice, maybe strikes off. If found guilty of criminal offense ( unauthorized removal of a healthy kidney for financial gain) , criminal charges be pressed. There should be no two way about it. General corruption is one thing but medical practice  should be enshrined not only in Thailand but worldwide. 

[Ctkong]

54 minutes ago, howbri said:

...and Thailand raves about their great healthcare and people come from all over the world for surgery? BEWARE!!!!!

Thailand has become a tourist medical hub for middle eastern countries as well as neighboring countries.  I know a couple of medical tourist guides who handle medical tourists from Myanmar and Bangkok hospital is doing good business attracting such customers and providing a one stop shop including managing the processing of visa and visa extension .

so any news that put Thailand as a medical Mecca in a negative light is not conducive. That said, I would get a second opinion preferably from overseas doctors in Singapore or Malaysia in cases that needed extensive surgery. 

[metisdead]

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[Ctkong]

My father in law came to Bangkok from Myanmar for a gall bladder removal upon the advice of his doctor. Went to a well known hospital in Bangkok and conducted a preliminary test. With the results, was told by the doctor who spoke excellent english that the gall bladder got to go. Using key hole surgery. No guarantee that the surgery will be successful if keyhole method so follow up open surgery may be needed. Cost of preliminary test with scans 40000+ tb. Surgery cost 660,000 tb including room and board ! Excluding follow up open surgery if needed.  Went to the Siri Raj hospital , open surgery cost less than 120,000 with room and board. Professional service too.

[gamini]

 

These sort of situations happen everywhere and not just in Thailand . My friend in Australia was misdiagnosed by his doctor in Brisbane Australia and died in hospital as a consequence. I had a botched up back operation in Singapore, but at least there, the doctor was sacked. I could go on and on.

[Chriss77]

Absolutely disgusting.

Surely this individual who claims to be a "doctor" or health professional, should serve a very long jail term, and this poor woman get some sort of compensation.

Dr Patel in Australia, worked out of Rockhampton from memory, but this country's pathetic judicial system let him off the hook, after several proven incidents where patients died or had massive complications after this grubs diagnosis.

This is grievous bodily harm at the bare minimum, is it not ?

Is GBH acknowledged in Thailand ?

[The Theory]

It seems a hospital team is involved in this. Not only the doctor. 

Edited December 8, 2018 by The Theory

[Bob12345]

3 hours ago, Ctkong said:

My father in law came to Bangkok from Myanmar for a gall bladder removal upon the advice of his doctor. Went to a well known hospital in Bangkok and conducted a preliminary test. With the results, was told by the doctor who spoke excellent english that the gall bladder got to go. Using key hole surgery. No guarantee that the surgery will be successful if keyhole method so follow up open surgery may be needed. Cost of preliminary test with scans 40000+ tb. Surgery cost 660,000 tb including room and board ! Excluding follow up open surgery if needed.  Went to the Siri Raj hospital , open surgery cost less than 120,000 with room and board. Professional service too.

How is this relevant to the topic?

So prices between hospitals in Thailand differ, and.... ?

[nontabury]

5 minutes ago, Bob12345 said:

How is this relevant to the topic?

So prices between hospitals in Thailand differ, and.... ?

Relevant in that he's pointing out, how expensive many of the private hospitals are in THAILAND.

Dependent on how urgent treatment is required, you can cut your cost to a fraction by going to INDIA, where you will be treated by experienced professionals. 

[Puccini]

18 hours ago, KhaoTan said:

Wait a minute, this woman went in for a chocolate cyst (Ovary) and ended up with her kidney being removed? Something is very, very wrong! Unfortunately kidneys are a commodity---if this doctor did that they should be in prison! 

 

Why do you say that they, ie both the doctor and the patient, should be in prison?

[timendres]

46 minutes ago, Puccini said:

19 hours ago, KhaoTan said:

Wait a minute, this woman went in for a chocolate cyst (Ovary) and ended up with her kidney being removed? Something is very, very wrong! Unfortunately kidneys are a commodity---if this doctor did that they should be in prison! 

Why do you say that they, ie both the doctor and the patient, should be in prison?

It is acceptable English to refer to a single person as "they". Specifically when the gender of the subject is not known.

[Khun Paul]

The fact that the operation was carried out without any checks on the so-called tumour if there was one and lack of scientific checks before a reasonably expensive operation , makes me worry more. Missing organs and relocation of a rectum sounds extreme to say the least, there are procedures which could have possibly cleared up the matter. Sounds very gung ho by the Doctors/ Surgeons involved, I assume someone will carry the can , the woman loss of husband possibly, loss of a an active fruitful l;ife also damamge and they put the loss at 240 k, surely 24 million would be more appropriate. 

[StevieAus]

To all the Thai bashers on this site perhaps you should get down from your moral high horses and do some research.

There was a report published in June of this year in the UK that stated that the UK was the third worse of 18 developed countries in relation to preventing avoidable deaths.

I haven’t seen the figures for Australia but there have been many cases reported where negligence has occurred

Its life unfortunately.

[StevieAus]

6 hours ago, Chriss77 said:

Absolutely disgusting.

Surely this individual who claims to be a "doctor" or health professional, should serve a very long jail term, and this poor woman get some sort of compensation.

Dr Patel in Australia, worked out of Rockhampton from memory, but this country's pathetic judicial system let him off the hook, after several proven incidents where patients died or had massive complications after this grubs diagnosis.

This is grievous bodily harm at the bare minimum, is it not ?

Is GBH acknowledged in Thailand ?

Yes medical negligence doesn’t only happen in Thailand does it?

I remember the case of the so called Dr Patel, from memory on one occasion he amputated the wrong limb, a leg I think.

[StevieAus]

11 hours ago, Bob12345 said:

Typical sickening Thai way to make all problems disappear: offer cash. 

 

And many poor people who have no clue about what happened, what their rights are, and who are in need off money, might just take it with possible malpractise not being punished.

 

It is about time this whole negotiating stops. Let an independent judge or commission determine guilt and compensation. Its no justice when rich people can just buy off their responsibilities for pennies.

 

And that immediately explains why it will never change. Why would the rich, who control the system, make it a level playing field? 

Offering a monetary settlement to settle a claim is a common and accepted practice in many legal jurisdictions.

You will find that many courts particularly in civil jurisdictions require the parties to undertake mediation/ conciliation in an attempt to settle a claim usually by a monetary payment being made.

It is also a common practice by Insurance companies particularly in relation to medical negligence claims.

Whatever you may think of the morality of such actions it’s a fact of life.

Its about taking a commercial decision, saving costs and guaranteeing the result, particularly for the claimant.

[Bournville]

Most of us have heard how easy it is to pass exams in Thailand. 

 

Does this apply to doctors in Thailand? Can they not fail to become a doctor? 

 

4 years ago I was wrongly diagnosed with a throat infection. The next day I was diagnosed with dengue fever.. A simple blood test confirmed this. Many are absolute idiots at best 

[Bournville]

Most of us have heard how easy it is to pass exams in Thailand. 

 

Does this apply to doctors in Thailand? Can they not fail to become a doctor? 

 

4 years ago I was wrongly diagnosed with a throat infection. The next day I was diagnosed with dengue fever.. A simple blood test confirmed this. Many are absolute idiots at best 

[catman20]

nothing new or surprising in the story.

[Bob12345]

15 hours ago, nontabury said:

Relevant in that he's pointing out, how expensive many of the private hospitals are in THAILAND.

Dependent on how urgent treatment is required, you can cut your cost to a fraction by going to INDIA, where you will be treated by experienced professionals. 

Did you read the article?
Its about a lady in Udon Thani who went to the hospital there. 

There is no mention of costs nor India...

[Bob12345]

10 hours ago, StevieAus said:

Offering a monetary settlement to settle a claim is a common and accepted practice in many legal jurisdictions.

You will find that many courts particularly in civil jurisdictions require the parties to undertake mediation/ conciliation in an attempt to settle a claim usually by a monetary payment being made.

It is also a common practice by Insurance companies particularly in relation to medical negligence claims.

Whatever you may think of the morality of such actions it’s a fact of life.

Its about taking a commercial decision, saving costs and guaranteeing the result, particularly for the claimant.

Sure its a fact of life, but you can also see the difference between 2 parties negotiating on equal foot, represented by a mediator, and a big hospital offering some quick cash without actually first telling what happened. In a case like this a quick cash settlement should not be an option, as the case is much broader with possibly the doctor needing to be fired and prosecuted.