SC: Sixth-grader Stas had his arm amputated due to a doctor's error

The criminal investigation into the improper performance of professional duties by a medical professional at the Dubrovno Central District Hospital has been completed. According to the investigation, it was the doctor's errors that led to the amputation of the left arm of an 11-year-old boy from the agro-town of Yakubovo, reports the press service of the Investigative Committee for the Vitebsk region.

Investigators stated that sufficient evidence has been gathered in the case to charge the surgeon (who also served as the head of the surgical department of the Dubrovno Central District Hospital). The materials have already been transferred to the prosecutor for submission to the court.

"The investigation concluded that the medical professional improperly performed their professional duties due to a negligent and unscrupulous attitude towards them. The shortcomings made by the surgeon in providing medical care and the resulting consequences in the form of left arm amputation are in a direct causal relationship," said Inna Gorbacheva, the official representative of the USC for the Vitebsk region.

The surgeon has been finally charged under Part 1 of Article 162 of the Criminal Code (Improper performance of professional duties by a medical professional, resulting in negligent infliction of grievous bodily harm to a patient). The maximum penalty under this article is restriction of liberty for up to 2 years.

During the investigation of the criminal case, a representation was sent to the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee's Healthcare Department to prevent the improper performance of professional duties by medical professionals and a negligent attitude towards the execution of job descriptions. Simultaneously, the surgeon was suspended from the position of head of the surgical department.

Highly qualified medical professionals from leading healthcare institutions in the region and specialized experts from the Ministry of Health were involved as specialists in the investigation of the criminal case.

"Complex forensic examinations were appointed and conducted within the framework of the investigation, which repeatedly confirmed the versions put forward by the investigation," the Investigative Committee reports.

We remind you that on July 25, 2014, an 11-year-old resident of the Dubrovensky district was admitted to the emergency room of the Orsha Central Polyclinic with a fractured left arm. After the necessary examinations, the boy was put in a cast and then discharged home for outpatient treatment. After his condition worsened on July 28, the child, accompanied by relatives, visited a surgeon at the Dubrovensky District Hospital. The investigation established that the medical worker did not fully examine the young patient, did not suspect the developing complication in time, did not order the necessary tests, did not measure body temperature, and when the swelling intensified, did not remove the plaster cast and did not take measures for his hospitalization, which in turn led to the necrosis (gangrene) of the minor patient's left arm and the necessity of its amputation.

This story was first reported by the publication "Euroradio". A month ago, journalists, citing the mother of the injured boy, reported that the child would soon turn 12 and would need a new prosthesis. However, the disability pension paid to Stas is 1 million 140 thousand rubles per month. The family receives no other assistance from the state.