Health ministry says too much time lapsed in filing suit in medical negligence case

Staff Reporter

THE Ministry of Health and Social Services has brought an application asking the High Court to dismiss a lawsuit in which a woman is suing the ministry for N$13 million, arguing that the claim was filed outside the maximum period allowed to institute legal action, which is three years.

A Namibian woman instituted the lawsuit against the health ministry after a doctor allegedly left a needle in her uterus and subsequently stitched her up, leaving the medical instrument inside her body. This allegedly resulted in a loss of her ability to conceive further children, as well as persistent pain and suffering, among other damages.