Resident of Kabardino-Balkaria insists that doctor was guilty of his son's death

Timbora Kutogov, a resident of the city of Chegem, Kabardino-Balkaria, is trying for two years to punish the doctor, for whose guilt, in father's opinion, his son of 13 had died. Today, by the decision of the public prosecutor, exhumation of the child's body was appointed.

Timbora Kutogov told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent that his son Aslan, 13, fell ill on March 2, 2008. The boy had high temperature and rash over the body. His parents called an ambulance; however, the doctors refused to hospitalize the child saying that "you won't find doctors there," although it was only about 3 p.m.

The parents addressed Aryubat Gemueva, a local paediatrician, who examined the child, diagnosed "allergy" and appointed some medicines. The condition of the child worsened, the temperature remained high, and all the body was already covered with rash. The parents again addressed the paediatrician, but she again failed to recognize the disease; however, she sent the boy for consultation to the doctor-infectiologist Maya Shogenova, who diagnosed "scarlet fever".

The infectiologist sent the child back to the local paediatrician and appointed home treatment and supervision, having said that Aslan needed a separate ward, while the in-patient department of the district hospital had no vacant beds. Doctor Gemueva appointed some treatment; however, in father's opinion, it was wrong; in particular, the patient needed antibiotics, but she failed to appoint them.

On March 7, the boy in grave condition was brought to the city infectious hospital in Nalchik; however, doctors could not save him. The death certificate gives the diagnosis: "3rd category infectious-toxic septic shock. DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) syndrome."

After that, the Kugotov family started their litigation with doctors. Three forensic-medical examinations were held on the case.

The Krasnodar Bureau of Forensic-Medical Examination defined the guilt of the local paediatrician.

In 2009, the magistrate court of Chegem found Aryubat Genueva guilty and sentenced her to two years of conditional imprisonment, and deprived her of the right to take doctor's position for two years.

However, Gemueva appealed against the verdict at the Chegem District Court (Judge M. Azhakhova), and got it cancelled.

During the court session Timbora Kutogov put forward a petition not to exhume his son's body, and if, nevertheless, the exhumation decision would be made, he asked to take samples in situ, without transporting the body away; and - the main point: he asked to invite independent experts for examination. All his petitions were rejected by the court.