There is a saying, “You learn from your mistakes”. You would have probably heard of ‘doctors in the dock’ of three medical doctors’ murder trials. But did you know that Malaysia has its very own ‘doctor in the dock’ case?
The Story Behind Doctor In The Dock
Everything began one fine day when a representative from a prosecutor’s office interrupted Dr. Ariza Mohamed’s lecture. Little did she know about the turmoil appearing in her life through that sealed envelope. It was 2018 when Dr. Ariza Mohamed was accused of causing cerebral palsy in a baby that she had delivered 15 years back.
Let’s look back at the incident:
1. The Case
Image via HuffPost
On the 26th of February 2003, Dr. Ariza received a call from her nurse about a mom who was undergoing labor within just 26 weeks of her pregnancy. The threshold for the baby’s viability was 28 weeks back then. Dr. Ariza was faced with a difficult decision to prioritize the mother’s life and tell them that they were two weeks away from the benchmark.
2. The Decision
Image via Medical News Today
Dr. Ariza had to make a split-second choice. Their initial decision was to move the mother to a better-equipped hospital. However, the patient was fully dilated and had to go into immediate labor. Hence, Dr. Ariza decided to deliver the baby right there in the delivery room instead of risking any complications during the journey.
3. The Pain
Image via The Levin Firm
Dr. Ariza’s painful experience was when she saw the child she saved wheelchair-bounded. However, the child’s mother thought the opposite. She blamed Dr. Ariza for her child’s condition. The worst thing is, that Dr. Ariza didn’t get to explain her side. In the end, she lost her case and was fined RM8.9 million, which is the highest fine anyone ever received for a medical negligence case.
Doctor In The Dock
Image via Firdaus Press Publications Facebook
Dr. Ariza Mohamed delved into the writing world like many other medical professionals. Following the trial procedures, she wrote “Doctor In The Dock” which highlighted her trial procedures throughout the four years. She captured her challenges and the impact it had on her life. She wished to share her story with all the doctors, lawyers, and the public.
You can click here to purchase the book.
Dr. Ariza’s intention was purely generous, but little did she know it would affect her life. The weight of the envelope and the years that followed had changed her life, but that did not stop Dr. Ariza from mentoring young medical professionals and empowering youths through her non-governmental organization, Pertubuhan Zahir Kasih Insaniyyah Kinta (Zakiyyah).
