Doctor sentenced over negligence in newborn death case

 A court in Azerbaijan has sentenced Kenul Khudatova, former head of the gynecology and maternity ward at Saatli Central District Hospital, to two years of restricted freedom for negligence that led to the death of a newborn, local media reported.

She was also banned for one year from holding senior medical positions or working as an obstetrician-gynecologist in state and private clinics.

The case stemmed from the July 2023 death of a baby girl born to 20-year-old Aysel Ibrahimova. Investigators found that key procedures, including blood tests, cardiotocography and ultrasound, had not been conducted. The infant later died of cardio-pulmonary failure after being transferred to a perinatal center in Sabirabad.

Khudatova denied wrongdoing and asked to be acquitted.

Azerbaijani courts have increasingly pursued medical negligence cases in recent years amid public criticism of healthcare standards in rural regions. Article 314.2 of the country’s Criminal Code covers negligence causing death or serious consequences.