Rida's family to sue Jehangir, Ruby hospitals for negligence

Alleging gross medical negligence, family members of the country's first swine flu victim Rida Shaikh on Tuesday said they will sue Jehangir and Ruby hospitals for damages. Lawyer Asif Lampwala, who will represent the family in the court, told a press conference that he will file a civil and criminal case against the two hospitals for gross medical negligence.

He alleged there was a nexus between the two hospitals as blood sample of Rida was sent for swine flu test to Ruby Hospital instead of National Institute for Virology (NIV). Ruby Hospital gave negative result in just one hour and the report was proved wrong subsequently, Lampwala, who spoke to media on behalf of Reeda's parents, said.

The family was told by doctors that there was nothing serious except lung infection and there was no need for panic, he said. Nida was admitted to Jehangir hospital on July 27 and tamiflu tablet was administered to her only on July 31 when the second test done at NIV turned out to be positive, the lawyer said.

Girl's father Sajid Sheikh, mother Shireen Sheikh and aunt Ayesha Sheikh were present during the media briefing. Rida had never been to any foreign country, he claimed. The 14-year-old girl died of swine flu yesterday at Jehangir hospital here.

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