Hospitals face probe

The woman, 23, is now recovering at Rajavithi Hospital where she was treated for her severe stomachache, and also operated on to remove the 25cm tube from her bladder.

Her husband later lodged a petition with the Public Health Ministry asking it to investigate the matter and punish doctors at both the unnamed hospitals.

Dr Thara Shinakarn, a senior Department of Medical Services official and the head investiga¬tor, said the private hospital was held responsi¬ble automatically under a law, which subjected doctors in both cases, and the hospital's management to criminal prosecution. A conviction carries a oneyear prison term and/or a maximum fine of Bt20,000.

The written petition stated that the woman underwent surgery at the private hospital, located in Bangkok's Nong Khaem area, for an illness in 2004 and had since experienced occasional discomfort in her stomach. She suffered severe pain on Thursday and sought emergency treatment at the government hospital, located in Bangkok's Bang Khae area, which said it would treat her for her severe pain only if she agreed to undergo a surgery to remove the tube.

The husband, assuming he could not afford the expensive surgery, later took her to Rajavithi Hospital, whose doctors discovered several gallstones in her bladder, including one 5cm in diameter. The gallstones and the tube were later removed.

On the government hospital's denial of service after the husband refused to sign a document approving the treatment, Thara said he would need to wait for statements from the government hospital.

"In general, doctors can refuse to perform surgeries on patients whose relatives refuse to sign documents giving their approval," he added.