A Pakistani doctor is facing a SR 1 million fine for negligence involving the birth of a baby girl.

Dr. Saima Khokhar, however, says she is innocent of the charges and that she was a junior doctor in 2009 when she assisted in performing the procedure with senior physicians. The case involves the birth of the baby on Aug. 7, 2009 with a neurological complication. The baby’s father lodged a complaint with the medical authority in September 2011 — two years later — seeking compensation.

An inquiry ensued and Khokhar, who was part of a five-member gynecology team — a consultant, two specialists and two residents — during the delivery, was held responsible, and asked by the ministry to pay the fine.

Her husband, Dr. Sohail Malik, also a doctor, said the Makkah police issued the first warrant for her arrest a month ago. The latest one was seven days ago.

Khokhar said she could not understand why she was held responsible because she was a junior doctor in 2009. She said the complication resulted from a ruptured uterus found during the operation and that it was not a case of malpractice.

She said the large fine should entitle her to a court hearing to defend herself.

Malik said his wife “was only called into a preliminary hearing by a subcommittee at the maternity hospital in Makkah that prepared the case and forwarded it to the Ministry of Health medical investigation team.”

He said: “Out of a total of four investigation hearing sessions conducted, the investigating team did not bother even once to ensure the presence of Dr. Saima Khokhar, whereas other doctors involved in the treatment were called periodically to present their explanations.”

Khokhar faces a further problem because her insurance company, where she has had a policy for 12 years, is not paying out.

“To her horror, the Tawuniya Insurance Company flatly refused to provide cover, despite the fact that she was covered by policy No. 713713 on the incident date and even 11 months after the incident date,” said Malik.

The couple are distraught and want to go back to Pakistan once the case is resolved.