RIYADH: A forensic medical commission in Madinah has ordered an anesthetist to pay nearly SR1 million for giving an overdose of anesthesia to a girl that resulted in quadriplegia, local media said.

Six years ago, Fatima Faisal Sufiyan Al-Faki was brought to a government hospital in Madinah for an operation to remove a foreign body from her nose. However, before entering the operation room, she was given an overdose of anesthesia.

Based on the decision of the forensic medical commission, the anesthetist has to bear the overall damages inflicted on the child arising from the overdose as follows: Compensation (diya) of SR150,000 for total inability to walk, complete loss of brain function (SR150,000), loss of vision (SR150,000), loss of hearing by 50 percent (SR75,000), loss of appetite (SR150,000), loss of speech by 100 percent (SR150,000). Thus, the victim is entitled to SR825,000, the media said.

Speaking to reporters, her father said he had brought his daughter to the hospital, who was three years old at the time, to remove a foreign body from her nose, but unfortunately she suffered from quadriplegia paralysis that prompted him to file a case with the commission.

The case continued for six years until the issuance of the verdict but no money has bee paid yet, he said, adding that he does not need money, but wants to see his daughter treated by those who caused the paralysis to her.

The accused doctor had appealed the ruling claiming that he was not solely to blame in Fatima’s case where the consulting surgeon was also to be held responsible. However, when the surgeon knew he was required to stand before the commission, he left for his country on leave, he said.

The father said he and family were shocked to see the girl’s condition and that the incident left a huge psychological impact on them.