Kampala — The High Court has found Kibuli Muslim Hospital and a medical doctor liable for negligence that contributed to the death of a newborn baby and ordered them to pay more than Shs147 million in damages.
The ruling was delivered by Acting High Court Judge Bonny Isaac Teko, who found that the hospital and Dr. Dickens Aturwanaho failed to provide the required standard of care to Baby Jibreal Jumah Sewankambo.
The court awarded the child’s mother, Jaridah Kyofuna, approximately Shs147.4 million in compensation.
The award included Shs17.37 million in special damages, Shs100 million in general damages and Shs30 million for loss of expectation of life, in addition to interest and legal costs.
The case originated from events in October 2018 when Kyofuna, who had received antenatal care at Kibuli Muslim Hospital, delivered her son through a caesarean section.
Court records indicate that the baby was initially stable after birth but later developed breathing difficulties.
The mother reportedly sought medical attention several times as the child’s condition deteriorated, but the baby was admitted to the neonatal unit only the following morning.
Medical examinations later showed that the baby had anaemia and low platelet levels, with doctors suspecting haemorrhagic disease.
An emergency direct blood transfusion using the mother’s blood was conducted after difficulties obtaining compatible donor blood.
However, the baby’s condition continued worsening and he died on October 9, 2018.
In his ruling, Justice Teko relied on findings from the Uganda Medical and Dental Practitioners Council (UMDPC), which had raised concerns about the treatment provided.
The judge cited delays in medical assessment, inadequate investigations, failure to physically review the child by a consultant neonatologist and shortcomings in the emergency transfusion process.
Justice Teko acknowledged that medical staff attempted to save the child’s life but ruled that failures in care contributed to the fatal outcome.
The judgment has renewed debate about patient safety, accountability and standards of care, particularly in managing newborn emergencies where timely intervention is critical.
Kibuli Muslim Hospital and Dr. Aturwanaho have the option of appealing the decision.