MUGABEKAZI v KING FAISAL N’ABANDI

MUGABEKAZI v KING FAISAL N’ABANDI

King Faisal Hospital is liable for damages because its employee, Prof. Kyonkunda, issued a misdiagnosis that directly led to unnecessary mastectomy, violating the plaintiff's right to accurate medical information. Rwanda Military Hospital is also liable for failing to conduct further diagnostic tests before surgery,...

Source-derived case information.

Citation
RC 00118/2019/TGI/GSBO
Parties
Plaintiff: Mugabekazi Assumpta; Defendant: King Faisal Hospital; Defendant: Rwanda Military Hospital; Third Party/interested Party: Prof. Lynnette Kyonkunda
Court
Intermediate Court
Jurisdiction
Rwanda
Judgment Date
9 April 2021
Case Number
RC 00118/2019/TGI/GSBO
Procedural Posture
Civil (medical Negligence/compensation) / Judgment at Intermediate Court (gasabo)
Outcome
Plaintiff's claim allowed in part; damages awarded against both hospitals; claim against Prof. Kyonkunda dismissed.
Legal Topics
Medical Negligence, Patient Rights, Compensation for Medical Injury, Hospital Liability, Standard of Care, Damages for Loss of Body Part
Source Language
rw
Tort Law Medical Law Civil Procedure Medical Negligence Patient Rights Compensation for Medical Injury Hospital Liability Standard of Care +1 more

Source-derived case record

Summary, issues, holding and outcome

More case intelligence is available

Unlock the full research layer for this judgment.

Legal principles 4 Authorities cited 12 Party arguments 2 Amounts and remedies 5
Sign in to unlock

Parties

Mugabekazi Assumpta

Plaintiff

King Faisal Hospital

Defendant

Rwanda Military Hospital

Defendant

Prof. Lynnette Kyonkunda

Third Party/interested Party

Procedural Posture

Civil (medical Negligence/compensation) / Judgment at Intermediate Court (gasabo)

  1. 1 Whether King Faisal Hospital is liable for damages resulting from an erroneous cancer diagnosis leading to unnecessary mastectomy.
  2. 2 Whether Rwanda Military Hospital is liable for failing to conduct further tests before surgery and for performing unnecessary mastectomy.
  3. 3 Whether Prof. Lynnette Kyonkunda is personally liable for damages as the reporting pathologist.

Ratio Decidendi

King Faisal Hospital is liable for damages because its employee, Prof. Kyonkunda, issued a misdiagnosis that directly led to unnecessary mastectomy, violating the plaintiff's right to accurate medical information. Rwanda Military Hospital is also liable for failing to conduct further diagnostic tests before surgery, resulting in unnecessary removal of the plaintiff's breast. Prof. Kyonkunda is not personally liable as she acted within her employment. Both hospitals are ordered to pay compensation and costs.

Court Disposition

Plaintiff's claim allowed in part; damages awarded against both hospitals; claim against Prof. Kyonkunda dismissed.

Orders

  • King Faisal Hospital to pay plaintiff RWF 40,000,000 in damages, RWF 500,000 for court costs, and RWF 2,000,000 for legal fees.
  • Rwanda Military Hospital to pay plaintiff RWF 60,000,000 in damages, RWF 500,000 for court costs, and RWF 2,000,000 for legal fees.