The Marrakech primary court has condemned a private clinic, mandating the payment of 500,000 dirhams in compensation to a patient following a grave medical misdiagnosis that nearly cost her life. The court has also held the insurance company contracted with the healthcare facility responsible for settling the compensation.
The case unfolded when the patient was admitted in a critical health condition, suffering from a high fever and severe pain. The medical staff initially diagnosed her with acute cholecystitis, recommending urgent surgical intervention. However, doubts regarding the accuracy of this diagnosis prompted the patient to leave the clinic and seek a second medical opinion at another healthcare institution.
Subsequent thorough examinations at the second facility revealed that the patient was actually suffering from falciparum malaria, a serious disease that necessitates immediate therapeutic intervention. This critical misdiagnosis required her admission to the intensive care unit for essential treatment, as the medical team raced against time to save her life.
A judicial medical expert confirmed a clear professional shortcoming on the part of the clinic, which included failing to complete initial examinations according to established medical standards and neglecting to inquire about the patient's health history and travel history. Such information could have directed the diagnosis toward the actual illness much earlier.
The court deemed this negligence a significant professional error, leading to severe complications for the patient, resulting in permanent disability that adversely affected her daily and professional life.
Throughout the trial, the clinic's defense attempted to mitigate its liability, arguing that differing diagnoses are a common occurrence in medical practice. Meanwhile, the insurance company contended that such cases were not covered under their contract. However, the court relied on the medical expert's findings and the applicable insurance documents to establish civil liability.
Consequently, the court ruled in favor of the patient, including legal interest and ordering the defendant to bear the costs. This decision underscores the critical importance of adhering strictly to medical diagnostic protocols within private healthcare institutions, ensuring patient safety and safeguarding their rights.
As reported by ar.hibapress.com.
